Sao Paulo

The Deadstring Brothers play a soulful and swaggering blend of roots rock and classic rock ‘n’roll in the vein of the Rolling Stones, the Faces, and the Allman Brothers Band, as well as contemporary keepers of the flame like the Black Crowes. And they are mighty good at it. Their sound may be nostalgic — in the best possible way — but they’ve got the songs and musical chops to carve out an identity of their own within the grand tradition. San Paulo is the fourth release by this Detroit-based six piece, and it’s a blast of gritty guitar licks, stinging pedal steel, beefy Hammond organ, some accordion, and excellent lead and harmony vocals. The band members share a collective sense of time, whether playing edgy and sharp or funky and loose. Among the 10 tunes there’s a rich mix of flat-out rockers (“Sao Paulo,” “River Song”), mid-tempo boogies (“Smile,” Houston”), and some memorable ballads (“Adalee,” “Always a Friend of Mine”). Another solid and satisfying release by the Deadstring Brothers.