Artist:     Avey Grouws Band

Album:     The Devil May Care

Label:     Self-released

Release Date:     3.20.2020

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IBC semi-finalists in 2018 and 2020, Iowa’s Avey Grouws Band has released their debut CD. They are fronted in a quintet by the duo of strong alto vocalist Jeni Grouws and guitarist/vocalist Chris Avey. The duo is backed by a skilled rhythm section of drummer Bryan West, bassist Randy Lessman and Nick Vasquez on keys. The music and songwriting are solid, but the real attraction here is Grouws stirring vocals, capable of delivering sultry phrases or passionate roars, depending on the tune. The album was recorded in the Quad Cities, along the mighty Mississippi and the band brings as much power as any band along that waterway, Memphis and New Orleans included.

The set begins with Grouws singing the flirtatious “Come and Get This Love” with a rumba and swing rhythm that will have your foot tapping right away. Grouws sings about an illicit love affair that only the devil may care about in the title track while Avey wields a Coco Montoya-like riff. “Rise Up” predictably becomes anthemic but the band shows a little more versatility in the doo-wop “Let’s Take It Slow.” Grouws immense pipes are in full glory on another anthem, “Long Road,” fueled by slide guitar.

The boogie “Let Me Sing My Blues” features some barrelhouse piano from Vasquez while Grouws delivers another fine wailing vocal. The band goes acoustic for “Weary,” a nice change of pace but not one of the stronger songs. “Dirty Little Secret’ is addendum to the title track with some tasteful licks from Avey, setting the stage for their playful duet vocal on “Dig What You Do.” Two horns join on the upbeat closer, “Two Days Off (And a Little Bit of Liquor),” buoyed by its singalong chorus.

This is an auspicious debut, made most memorable by Jeni Grouws’ naturally strong vocals. We will be hearing more from this band that’s just three years young.

—Jim Hynes