McLovins Conundrum: Debut Album Lives Up to the Hype

Editor's Note: In case you've somehow missed the buzz, catch up on the McLovins backstory here and here. The short version is that the band is young and talented, and pretty much blew up overnight after a video of their YEM cover made the rounds on PhantasyTour.

I few weeks ago I got my hands on Conundrum, the debut album from the McLovins, and like their recent performance at Gathering of the Vibes, it lives up to hype and then some.

A nine song effort, Conundrum is a cornucopia of musical genres each of which only strengthens my respect for the band's chops. Rock, jazz, funk, reggae, progressive, soul… it's all in there. It's fast one second and slow the next. It melts your face then gives you a minute to recover before melting it again.

Hit play at right to listen to the Conundrum sampler while you read the track-by-track review below. Then email the drummer Jake to buy a CD or visit CDBaby for an instant download.

Sorry. You need to Flash to stream the album.

Track-by-Track Review of Conundrum by the McLovins

• 1

  The album starts off with Purple Trees, a monster of a song created as an homage to Phantasy Tour. The backstory showcases their command of social media while the track showcases their ability to shift gears on a dime. Listen to the first 20 seconds of the sample track for a prime example.

• 2

  Next up is Bri (in memory of), an instrumental track with a a touching backstory that debuted on Hidden Track. Bri has become song I play for people to introduce the band to them — especially once Jeff’s soaring guitar work takes off like you'll hear in the sample track above.

• 3

  Guillotine Machine, a song I suggested to open the album, is the 3rd track on Conundrum. As I said when I originally posted the basement video of the tune, “it has a funky beginning, more than a few interesting transitions, and it resolves into a total shredfest at the end.”

• 4

  The first half of track four Killing Time isn't my favorite, but I'll give it credit for reminding me a bit of Shuggie Otis. The last two minutes on the other hand are amazing, with some grating guitar work that only slightly distracts from Jason's galloping bassline.

• 5

  Sea of Wisdom, the 5th song, starts off a bit low energy for my taste, though jazz buffs should dig it and I think Jake's steadily improving vocals are at their best on this one. But like Killing Time before it, there's a surprise in store if you hold out for the last 90 seconds: a rocking little segment that should prove to be a great opportunity to jam it out live.

• 6

  I loved the 6th track Dynne from the first listen, which is why I featured it my second post about McLovins. This tune is ripping from beginning to end and reminds me of one my early muses in the jam scene, Jambay.

• 7

  I really dig Jeff's guitar tone at the beginning of track 7, Rhyme & Reason, and the up-tempo finale had me thinking of Phish's Sparkle. It also might be Jake's best vocal performance, something I know he's been working on and showing nice improvement.

• 8

  Up next is the title track Conundrum. This one rips and if you don't like this, you probably won't like McLovins. If you do like this, you will love them.

• 9

  On first listen, I really hated Sleeping Pills. However, I later learned that it's intended as more of a bonus track, and it really grew on me re-listening with that context. Kinda reminds me of something you'd hear on a Mike Gordon solo project.