REVIEW: Emily Bonn and The Vivants, 'Western Addition' (Bandcamp)

Emily Bonn and The Vivants released their first full length album, Western Addition, this past August.

Buy it now, from everyone's favorite digi-record store, as it's no mere adding that's going down here.

No, it's more like a cornucopia of genres--with ample opportunities for Bonn's Vivants to show off their arsenal of instruments, as well as said stock's won't-be-pigeonheld candor.

Yes, Western Addition plays like a musical portfolio of a band applying for traveling fandom. And perhaps that's why this one comes directly from the good people of their Kickstarter campaign.

Take the traditional country waltz "Don't Call Me Darling," bind it together with the tango cut of Tom Waits' "Jockey Full of Bourbon," and in the end, there may seem to be no combining rhythmic traits.

Rather, the gel that holds it all together here is the collective talent of the band, itself.

Emily Bonn--who was once found busking everywhere from MUNI stations, Belgian prisons, Appalachian corner stores to the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival--fronts the group on vocals, all the while rotating a string trio of ukulele, banjo and guitar.

Meanwhile, Jody Richardson provides the fiddle, foot percussion and lovely vocal harmonies.

And James Touzel (he of the brilliant, album-ending "Touzel Twofer") has a true Southern charm all his own on bass viol and clarinet. Be it string or reed, Li'l Jimmy (also of The Earl Brothers and Blisses B) has his licks down pat.

Of course, I'd be remiss, too, if I didn't mention Isaac Bonnell's pitch-perfect accordion stylings--once again, no matter the style or genre.

Here, conjured together on a lazy Susan of a record are your Vivants.

So, San Franciso, get your gun, indeed.