Show Review: Rubblebucket at The Majestic, March 24, 2011

Rubblebucket is an octet of Boston transplants now based in indie-music capital Brooklyn, NY. Featuring a brass trio, two percussionists, keyboards, bassist and guitar, several of the band members do double duty on vocals, whistles, hand claps and more. Their music is hard to pigeonhole into any one category and incorporates quirky, twisted arrangements infused with high energy that is sure to get you moving. As was the case at the Majestic last night, with the sparse dance floor soon filling up with shaking bodies. The songs have bounce and present a refreshing and uplifting mix of afrobeat, jazz, reggae and pop music. I heard influences of Radiohead, Taj Mahal, StereoLab and the big band sounds of Africa with a stellar job on vocals by frontwoman/saxophonist Annakalmia Traver. We picked up a copy of their self-titled release Rubblebucket (2009) and Triangular Daisies EP at the show and have been digging the sound on the hi-fi! Watch out for their new album Omega La La out in June and do yourself a favor by catching their live show the next time!