All That Jam

posted in: Artist Features • Rock

There’s something in the bedrock of Boulder, Colorado, that’s producing seismic improvisational rock bands. String Cheese Incident, Leftover Salmon, Yonder Mountain String Band all hail from this stretch of the Rockies, where the jam flows like lava. Ivory Drive is also from Boulder, and though there’s no denying the jam element weaving through songs, the group also veers into jazz, folk, world music,even show tunes. Singer Van Wampler’s distinctive voice is comparable to the thick warble of Steven Page (formerly of Bare Naked Ladies). On the jaunty Breath of the Victory March, he leads listeners into a theatrical romp, where horns streak across battering pianos. Hear Me Out is equally punchy ” saxophone bleats and spaghetti pianos wind and ramble, jump and bob. But the combination of jam and Broadway is never more prominent than in the spirited swing of The Factory Machine. Jazz hands or noodle dance ” both are welcome here.