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music reviews

Floater
Showbox Theater, Seattle, WA

"My view from the edge."

Floater lived up to the much publicized hype on the air waves and the continuous billing from its local, loyal following during last nights show at the Showbox. No bowl-cloggers here people. This baby floats hard and floats fast to the top of the rockpile. The three member band has the full sound reminiscent of Rush with a dash of Incubus. But still owning its own unique style and sound.

I was impressed by the power the group possess and the tone and range of lead singer, Robert Wynia. If Sting and Robert Smith had copulated and had a bastard son of rock, Wynia would be this immaculate conception. Powerful vocal deftly overlays mesmerizing bass work. This is a man gifted with two musical brains. 2 brains that have 1 goal, to burn your ears and heart with pulsing, molten rock that grips you in its lava claws towards a slow death that you actually enjoy.

The mosh was an ebb and flow of energy that seemed to subside when anyone had lost footing. Politeness and rock at the same event - who said civility is dead and our society is ending with today's youth? Full sound, coordinated tempo changes, precise execution highlight dedication to the trade and band chemistry as sharp as a big chuck of Tillamook cheddar.

I unselfishly hope this group moves toward a more traditional song structure - verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, verse, chorus, chorus - thus giving the modern music business what they require to package and effectively distribute Floater to the masses. Reason: the masses need Floater. However, the other edge of that proverbial sword is that any change to their style would ultimately remove what is so great about them: their unconventional approach to putting on one kick-ass show.

Get me a seat on the next "Mexican Bus" - I like where this baby is headed.

~ The Don ~