Neo-Classic Rock: The Loft's Tombstone Tapes

The Loft picks up where the Black Crowes left neo-classic rock blues.

Of course, while the comparison is undeniable, I am extremely uncomfortable making it—because I love what the Loft are doing. And I never like what the Black Crowes were doing.

The Black Crowes have always seemed like imitators and far too derivative. Yes, the blues are all about imitation, standing on the shoulders of giants, but the Black Crowes felt contrived. Granted, my opinion was clouded by the fact the Black Crowes emerged on the scene with their first hit being a cover of Otis Redding’s “Hard to Handle” at a time when originality and independence defined my musical taste. In other words, timing surely contributed to my poor opinion of the Black Crowes.

On the other hand, I have a very high opinion of the Loft. John Banzhoff is that charismatic, funk soul scorcher of a lead singer that a band needs to meld Classic Rock, the blues, and R&B. While guitars from John Burke and Chris White certainly fuel that fire, the rhythmic underpinning from Philip Banzhoff (bass), Jon Biggs (drums), and Nathan Johnson (keys) moves this show down the road.

Biggs lays down a huge, boiling pot of drums for the bridge on “Sympathetic Blues,” and then Philip Banzhoff is ready to take us back into the song with an understated return to the basic bassline. “See How She Flies” is built around heart-skipping, hip-catching, funk breakdowns. Listen to how Johnson tricks out the Gospel soul from the band for the confession of sorts “She Comes Around” where Burke croons, “I’m a bigger mess than you could ever clean.”

Thanks to the Loft for the review CD.