360 Pick: Rotary Downs Plays On

Studio 360

Hurricanes and oil spills won’t stopthis New Orleans band. They embrace city’s gumbo-like spirit layering each tune with a jillion textures and the odd horn riff. Through it all, they never lose their rock n’roll cred. Take ‘Montrez-Vous:’ it’s got a seriously danceable hard-driving percussion but also includes xylophone, cowbell, maracas, bongos, organ, and a chorus in French. The final track ‘Indian Summer’ makes time for trumpets, gorgeous vocal harmonies, whimsical lyrics, and messy jam-bandy moments. Worth putting on repeat in any season.

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