Felonious Bosch – Toybox – Omnium Records (DVD-Audio) OMM 2047DVD, 46:41 ****:
(Katy Thomasberg – vocals; David Stenshoel – violin, saxophone; Scott Nieman – Bouzoukis, cittern, guitar; Steve Clark – saxophone, flute; Renee Bracchi – drums, percussion; Drew Miller – bass, recorder)
The six piece ensemble Felonious Bosch may be hard to categorize. Representing the Twin Cities, their collective resume draws from the genres of pop, indie rock, Celtic/Balkan/Middle Eastern folk, punk, jump swing, world rock ‘n roll and Western swing, to name but a few. Singer and lyricist Katy Thomasberg, (who has fronted Times Beach and The Collective) has collaborated with Scott Nieman to synthesize a myriad of influences into a collection of auditory sketches. Using an assortment of conventional and exotic instruments, a fresh dynamic is cultivated.
The unique sound of “FnB” is evident on the opening track, “Tombstone”. A steady Celtic drone with dulcimer (Drew Miller) and cittern (Scott Nieman) is transformed into a folk dance. Middle Eastern flourishes adorn “Name In Vain” mixing traditional stringed accompaniment with a hypnotic violin (David Stenshoel). Katy Thomasberg has a clear soulful voice that has the tone and feel of a musical instrument. Folk roots are scattered throughout the album. With a variety of different sounds, the songs take on different themes. The addition of alto flute (Steve Clark) and a recorder (Drew Miller) nurture a dream-like aesthetic on “Union City Waltz”. Two arrangements of Old World tribal pieces (“Las Velas”, “Feelya Gotcha”) highlight the eclectic tonal mosaic of the band.
A pleasant highlight is the morphed Davis/Coltrane/Cream, “F.L.T.” A jazzy interlude (including “A Love Supreme” chant) segues into psychedelic vocals, as the group reinvents this opus. Violin, a funky horn chorus and exotic string instruments bring a swagger to the jam. Thomasberg’s ethereal, sultry voice is graceful and expressive. On “Geek Wedding”, satirical observations on popular culture are showcased in a droning tango. There is a harder edge to Toybox. “Baby Sly” boasts a funky groove with gritty saxophones and seductive vocals. Goliath erupts into an edgy, post-punk/beatnick incarnation. Thomasberg’s versatility as a “front” singer is impressive, and this band is talented and multi-faceted.
The DVD-Audio disc is a limited edition high resolution disc that plays in stereo only at 96/24, and 48/24 on standard DVD players. Also included is a data session, including MP3s of the album, four extra tracks and a live video. With precise separation, the acoustics maintain their organic quality. In the emerging institution of multi-dimensional technology, Toybox is available on compact disc (enhanced CD with additional live video), digital (with booklet, lossless and hi-res downloads) and cassette! (amazing – and with four extra tracks too).
Felonious Bosch may be an acquired taste…but a worthwhile one. [The second word in the band’s name is of course a reference to the early Dutch painter noted for his fantastic imagery…Ed.]
TrackList: Tombstone; F. L. T.; Goliath; Name In Vain; Baby Sly; Snake Oil; Union City Waltz; Peterson’s Cabin; Las Velas; Geek Wedding; Chania; Feelya Gotcha
— Robbie Gerson
