If you are searching for fresh tunes to spice up your self-quarantine playlist, two Lehigh Valley artists may be able to help.
Bethlehem-based rock trio Them Spicy Boize get off to a fiery start on their recently-released self-titled EP.
“The Sheriff” is an aggressive leadoff track and sets the tone for the next five songs that follow.
The group even channels a bit of Blues Traveler (sans harmonica) during the chill groove of “Just a Fantasy’s” verses — only to change dynamics, and tempo, with a thick and crunchy chorus.
The group picks up the pace on the punky, ska-tinged “Stuck on You” — a head-bopper of a tune punctuated by a wicked guitar solo.
There plenty of room here for vocalist/guitarist Shane Reimer to cuts loose. The album features some of his most impressive playing yet (most notably his solos on “Just a Fantasy,” the album closer “Stalker,” and the bluesy “The Thirst”).
It is also worth mentioning the band’s tight rhythm section of bassist Wayne Lynch and drummer Johnny TwoTone — particularly Lynch, whose fretboard runs add a subtle but punchy dynamic to the music.
Them Spicy Boize has a more straightforward and harder edge than their previous effort, Better Late Than Never. The slight shift works in the band’s favor.
Singer-songwriter Ben Tyler takes a pretty direct approach in his storytelling on his new single, “Daughter of Mine.”
He sings about, well, his daughter.
The song is a lilting acoustic ballad enhanced by the occasional electric guitar riff. A cascading piano run closes out the tune.
“Daughter” is a strong follow-up to Tyler’s previous single, “Ready,” and allows enough space for Tyler’s lyrical talent to shine through once again.