Scott Reynolds and the Steaming Beast: Adventure Boy

Scott Reynolds and the Steaming Beast
Adventure Boy
Suburban Home
2008-01-22

Scott Reynolds was the singer for ALL, spinoff band of legendary pop-punkers The Descendents, in the early 90’s. Since leaving them, he’s fronted other punk bands including Goodbye Harry and The Pavers. Adventure Boy is a bit different, though. Reynolds has always been a storyteller in his songs, and this album emphasizes his singer-songwriter side. It’s a collection of laid-back story songs without a hint of distorted guitar or galloping drums. The disc was produced by longtime Flaming Lips producer Dave Fridmann, and Lip Steven Drozd pops up on about half the songs adding various instruments and backing vocals. Labelmates Drag the River provide their signature alt-country sound on “Angel”, a rearrangement of a Goodbye Harry song. Other highlights include “Jesus, Satan, Gene Beeman, His Car, & Pizza Hut”, a song whose title says it all, and “Adventure Boy”, a song about continuing to chase childhood dreams as an adult. This is a solid album which emphasizes Reynolds strongest qualities- his voice and his songwriting.

RATING 7 / 10