The Heavy Pets' history spans close to a decade now. Over that time, the group has built up a jam-band following alongside the Disco Biscuits, the Black Crowes, and Railroad Earth. The Pets also attract non-jam-band types by fusing folk-rock with reggae and R&B, which generates danceable music layered with witty lyricism. This is musical craftsmanship waves better than the past 15 Phish efforts, coming from someone who has heard them all. The five-piece of guitarists Jeff Lloyd and Mike Garulli, keyboardist Jim Wuest, drummer Jamie Newitt, and bassist Justin Carney has continued to grow and expand since its ambitious double-disc debut, 2007's Whale.
There's something jazzy about the Heavy Pets as well that excites major festivals like Bonnaroo, Langerado, and the New Orleans Backbeat Jazzfest. This evening, a CD-release party for the group's self-titled second album, should be a long gig of their signature tunes — as well as improvised gems, AKA the real pearls of jamming. One can only hope that other outfits in the genre take a positive cue from these gents and their humble know-how.
