Appetizing Louisville Rock

Pure Goodness (Independent)

Bloom Street

By Hunter Embry

With the release of their second album, Pure Goodness, the Louisville four-piece Bloom Street captures a breezy organic blend of genre-bending music that hints at soul, funk, blues and country, but remains deeply rooted in Southern rock 'n' roll. Bloom Street plants soulfully convincing melodies deep between thick grooving bass lines and confident drum beats.

"What a Beautiful Smile," the album opener, has an Allman Brothers feel that begins with a windy vocal harmony before sliding into an early morning jam. The smacking snare and thumping kick are tucked away by a blanket of guitars that combine screaming lead work, dirty Southern tones and a gentle acoustic guitar.

Singer Daniel Botula shows off a higher-pitched Warren Haynes-like vocal style that is seemingly mournful but is kept bright and optimistic by lyrics that describe the lovely smile of a wise old storyteller. Botula, along with guitarist Joe Bowers, bassist Keith Hill and drummer Alex Molina showcase their wide stylistic range throughout Pure Goodness.

On "Fly," Bloom Street toys with a Blues Traveler feel, in which the bass is crisp and the drums crisper, the guitars textured and the vocals raspy but filled with strong emotion. More than three minutes into the song, Bloom Street breaks into a Sublime-type reggae-rock groove accented by a hurricane of wild guitar solos.

Throughout the rest of Pure Goodness, Bloom Street totters about bloated bass lines and funk-tified guitar riffs ("Sweet Sophia"), psychedelic harmonies that channel a sound similar to MMJ ("Goddess") and wasted-heart delta-blues tones with crying slide guitars ("Done Me Wrong").

Pure Goodness is full of good rock 'n' roll songs that are both relaxing and intellectually satisfying. Botula's lyrics are mentally appetizing – while the rest of the band provides a large platform for the singer to spread his thoughts and vocal talents.

Get a taste over at www.myspace.com/bloomstreet.