THE INSOMNIACS "AT LEAST I'M NOT WITH YOU" Source: SonicJive.com Date: 06/2009 Writer: Brooke Horrocks

The Insomniacs new release "At Least I'm Not With You" is a superb revivalist/jump blues CD that combines traditional blues music with elements of west-coast swing and culling guitar licks played through vintage instruments.   Deftly merging tradition and innovation into something really special, The Insomniacs have delivered a truly astounding CD reminiscent of Jimmie Vaughan, T-Bone Walker and Jimmy Henderson. For those blues fans who may be labeled as traditionalist, a listen here provides a decent alternative that is both a refreshing and an addictive sound.  If you are into roots rock or a roadhouse blues sound that is a little tougher and slightly more lean, then "At Least I'm Not With You" is right up your alley.

Make no mistake, The Insomniacs have a distinctive vintage sound, but the updated production and instrumental arrangements are clean and crisp, adding more depth than say, pure rockabilly and more texture than most stereotypical swing bands. The energy found in both genres is there but thankfully, the monotony isn't. This helps create an addictive mixture that is both classic and fresh at the same time, especially when the band avoids cliched lyrical phrasing.  However, even on the intentionally over-the-top rockabilly number, "She Can Talk" the band manages to still sound somewhat fresh, despite of a very Jerry Lee Lewis-like piano solo, by utilizing modern percussion arrangements and very tight vocals.  It is this synergy between old and new, classic and contemporary, that works for The Insomniacs.

The standout tracks on the disc are "Lonely", "She Can Talk", "At Least I'm Not With You" , "Broke And Lonely" (a song that has a bit of a shuffle feel to it), and "Angry Surfer".  The title track, "At Least I'm Not With You" has a great, Dr. John feel to it and really stands out.  All are uptempo numbers that are quintessential west-coast blues in sound and are ineffably vintage in structure.  Digging deeper into the CD, however, the listener will discover hidden gems that are more traditional and a couple of great "boogie woogies".

Traditionalists will be satisfied with the electrified "Description Blues" as well as the scorching version of Junior Wells'  "Hoodoo Man Blues" (featuring a scathing harmonica played by special guest Mitch Kashmar), both fully-mature blues songs that are pure magic.  The two songs are perfectly arranged Chicago Blues numbers that feature haunting bass by Dean Mueller and wonderfully muscular vocals from Vyasa Dodson, as well as a percussion line from Dave Meylan that purrs like the glass packs on a '51 Mercury Flathead.  Blues aficionados will love Dodson's guitar work on "Description Blues" as well as a B-3 solo by Alex Shakeri that is sinfully good.  "Directly From My Heart To Yours" is a song that creates a perfect segue from traditional blues to the more swinging sound of jump blues by mixing elements of both.

"Root Beer Float" and "Insomniacs Boogie" are wonderful instrumentals that allow each of the performers to shine individually by combining a series of solo efforts into entertaining boogie woogie blues numbers that are absolutely scrumptious.

This album is full of the ratchet rhythms which connect the time-honored traditions of Chicago Blues to the slinky funk style of vintage Delta Blues to the naievity of early rock & roll.  The Insomniacs offer superior arrangements and production that result in a masterful CD that encapsulates a true revivalist sound.  The CD never tires, even after consecutive spins through the CD Player, and each play guarantees the listener will dicover something new and defining on each song.  Released in April 2009 as the follow-up to the critically-acclaimed "Left Coast Blues", "At Least I'm Not With You" is a fiery follow up that is both an astounding and necessary addition to the collection of anyone who appreciates good music.