STEAMBOAT play an album release show Friday (April 27) at Sneaky Dee’s. See listing. Rating: NNNN
Steamboat have spent the last few years proving themselves a soulful, well-oiled machine of a live band, and now have a hot slab of wax (their words) to match.
On their first full-length, the members, who make a living as session players and sidemen around Toronto, apply their well-honed musicianship to 70s-referencing Southern blue-eyed soul-rock. It’s unabashed throwback music, but they sell it with zeal, studied songwriting and instrumental chops.
Singer/keyboardist Matt McLaren’s vocal cords seem made for this type of music and are briefly augmented by the funky soprano of Maylee Todd (a dead ringer for a young Michael Jackson). Meanwhile, swaths of horns, organ and bass keep the good times flowing, even when the lyrics delve into heartbreak.
Top track: Part One/It’s Not An Omen
