Album Highlight Friday: Dylan Sevey and the Gentlemen “New Mischief”

Dylan Sevey is a like a weed. A weed who’s voice digs itself deep into your head and then sprouts flowers and good feelings with its sense of humor and infectious tonality. Maybe Dylan’s a happy weed…oh wait, that’s an entirely different thing. But I digress. The latest from his band, Dylan Sevey and the Gentlemen titled “New Mischief” blends just the right amounts of upbeat pop passion, rock n’ roll attitude and riffs, and pensive songwriting with just the right amount of “catchy hook” sprinkled in for good measure.

I can’t quite put my finger on what Dylan’s “sound” is. This new record is fluid and dynamic, but still remains very solid and well rounded.  Songs like “Halfway to History” have a late 90s/early 2000s pop punk feel to them in the vocal stylings of Sevey and the harmony work. Then in songs like “This Will Be The One That Kills Me” it is Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers through and through. The phrasings, the guitar parts, the build rising and falling…I feel nostalgia for the “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” video after school on MTV. The many influences of the band shines through in their songs, and in a varied and interesting way. There are bits of “this” there and droplets of “that” here, but the sound is certainly original and their own.

Musically, I keep exclaiming to myself “holy sh*t those keyboards are INSANE”, but across the board the musicianship is top tier. The layered electric guitars are notable and the rhythm is steady around the bass and drums. everything falls into place really well and sonically, I am not just happy but thoroughly impressed by everyone on this record.

One of my favorite things about this record is the little quirks in between tracks. With studio commentary by Dylan. I think it adds a great deal of charm to the songs and gives you a quick glimpse into these guys as people and not just dudes that play music. Great dudes making great songs for you and me to greatly dig. Rock on boys.

The Gentlemen officially release their new album “New Mischief” at The Spot Underground at 101 Richmond St, 2nd Floor in Providence and will be joined by our bud Julie Rhodes! Check out the event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/779634885438888/

So, regretfully for you all DSATG’s latest record is not yet on the internets for all to consume and relish in…in the meanwhile go ahead and buy his last record as an appetizer and properly acquaint yourself with the sultry sounds of Sevey. Just do it.