The Gabe Dixon Band - The Gabe Dixon Band

Genre indie-rock Publisher Fantasy Records

The Gabe Dixon Band has been around since 1999, in one form or another.  Dixon (Piano, Vocals), Jano Rix (Drums), and Winston Harrison (Bass, Mandator?) got started as roommates at the University of Miami.  Over time, Dixon, with his background as a classically trained pianist, built an impressive resume, playing with the likes of Alison Krauss, O.A.R., and, perhaps most impressively, Paul McCartney.  After getting their start focusing on jazz and improvisation, in 2006, the trio shifted their sights to more structured song writing.  The result of this change in approach is their self titled album, set to be released on August 26th.

And what has this nearly decade-old band created for their “debut” album (scare quotes due to the fact that they have, in fact, released  two other albums in 2002 and 2005, before the revamping of the band)?  While the instrumentation is impeccable, the writing is at times a mixed bag.  While the first half of the album is loaded up with sincere and, at times, almost desperate songs that speak of longing and regret, the back half is saddled with lyrics that appear to exist only as trite placeholders to justify the musical background.  In certain situations this can work, but due to style, stronger lyrics are necessary.  But when The Gabe Dixon Band finds the right tone and lyrical voice, the album truly shines.  The best two examples of their impressive orchestration meeting better end of Dixon’s writing are the opening track “Disappear” and “Till Your Gone.”  Both reflect not only heart-felt, largely piano-driven ballads, but contain the interesting musical twists and turns that will surely become the bands trademark.  “Till Your Gone” spends most of it’s 2:56 running time firmly revolving around Dixon’s piano melodies and yearning lyrics, only to periodically undergo an almost jarring (in a good way) tempo change for the refrain. 

It is when Dixon and company shy away from this improvisational sense that things begin to feel a tad stale.  “Find My Way” is by far the most straightforward song on the album, resting solely on its gospel-inflected music and throw-away lyrics.  Unfortunately, the album falls into this same trap (of focusing to hard on one aspect to the detriment of others) several more times before the end of its run.  “Siren” and “Far From Home” also fail to connect with the listener.  The exception to this malaise in the back half is “Baby Doll.”  Ironically, the instrumentation is not as strong as the rest of the album (consisting of merely a subtle piano melody with some light percussion), but the track represents Dixon’s best writing effort on the entire album and one hell of a way to close the album.

But, all that said, The Gabe Dixon Band is surely one to watch.  These are three very talented musicians trying to reinvent (refocus?) themselves after years spent in a different genre.  All signs point to this being an excellent shift down the road.  If this review seems over-harsh at times, it is merely because the astounding potential demonstrated in sparks here and there make the slip ups that much harder to take.  The gems on this self-titled album alone make it worth giving it chance.