Thomas Function
Celebration
(Alive)
by Jason MacNeil
Let the celebrations begin! Thomas Function is an Alabama band that wants you to know that it’s okay to love blues, country, hillybilly, punk and garage rock—and combine all of them at once. The group, led by Joshua Macero, offer up a wide-reaching array of styles that rarely sound like the band is reaching for something they can’t fully grasp. Whether it’s the lean rockabilly-leaning rocker “Filthy Flower”, The group also sound ready to cut a rug with “Can’t Say No”, a retro-rock tune that has plenty of boogie in it. Even when they go down a far quirkier path as is the case with “Conspiracy of Praise”, one gets the sense the only thing separating them from the Soundtrack of Our Lives is a beard, tambourine and tunic. Thomas Function also functions perfectly on the urgent, passionate “Snake in the Grass” which comes up and bites one in the ass. It’s hard not to enjoy this album as there’s a surprise around every corner, especially on the slow, country-tinged “2012 Blues” and the rambling and rollicking “Relentless Machines”. Too much good music here to praise! And if you need more proof, take a listen or nine to “Swimming Through a Sea of Broken Glass”. This is a record that would put more woogie in your boogie, without question.
RATING: 8
— 6 May 2008 / PopMatters
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