Sean Bones seems like a perfectly pleasant guy, with a nice pop band who dabble in Island riddems though for pop not rock effect, so less Sublime, more Colbie Caillat.
If that sounds like a backhanded compliment. Give the man credit where due, he is an excellent songwriter and his half hour set with his backing band Buzzard Boy was filled with catchy well paid, well sung and, damn it, well executed songs. It takes him around three songs but by the third Sean has found a groove and in a band that moves on its spaces, nothing is much more important. It isn't quite lover's rock but it has the swing of lover's rock and the audience were giving him a good ride.
I'm in a rush to get to the Governor's Ball gig so let me cheat off Sean's press release: "Its easy to imagine hearing this album out doors, at night. A full listen reveals a wide range of influences digested into something wholly Bones' own. "Tell Me Again" is a folky harmonium piece played over what sounds like the Miami Sound Machine. "Four Dub" explores open space and urgency. The sublime "Black Gold" starts with a scruffy hip hop beat until giving way to another one of those swoony boy-girl ballads that he's good at.."
Hmmm, OK but that's not what was getting me off and "Black Gold", played last was a bore. Part of that is Sean isn't a prepossessing front man. Not bad but certainly not very exciting. Also, he should flip his last two songs because it ends on a downer.
But, I enjoyed it and swayed just like he said I would.
Grade: B