Rubblebucket...Oversaturated (EP)

    On the rue-full day of September 11th, 2012, Rubblebucket released a brand new EP, Oversaturated. When I found out about Oversaturated (EP), I was definitely behind the ball on this one, as my brother who is a huge Rubblebucket fan--it has been his influence on me, getting into this band and following them--had already known about this and purchased Rubblebucket's latest offering to their ever increasing crowd of psychedelic funky pop fans. He even took me to a Rubblebucket concert for Christmas or my birthday or something last year! That was pretty sweet, even though they didn't play one of my favorite tunes from Omega La La (2011), "Down in the Yards". Anyway, I've had this post on the docket for a few weeks now, but other new releases have pushed it back. So, finally for your approval: Rubblebucket's Oversaturated (EP), from Sin Duda Records (which I believe is their own label).
    Rubblebucket definitely has this fantastic mix of funk, afro-beat at times, post-raggae, psychedelic and synth pop--oh and tenor saxophone, trombone and trumpet! The latter really makes the group along with the distinct vocals. And Rubblebucket does reverb over the vocals correctly. It is not so much that it is this wave of dreaminess. It is clean and effective. They haven't folded to the overwhelming variety of new wave light bands out there lately that have no distinct or unique sound...or soul. Rubblebucket has plenty of soul and they wear their sound on their sleeve.
    Oversaturated is a short EP, mainly 4 tracks, but there is a reprise of "Pain from Love", which makes a 5th. A closer look at the songs is as follows:
(1) "(focus) Oversaturated" - I love the opening of this, so carefree and with just the right amount of subtle attitude. I find myself singing the first few line "You're barking up the wrong tree" and "You really oversaturated" in my head all the time while I'm out playing disc golf. Music always runs through my head while I play disc golf. Back on subject, the song builds gradually until it explodes in a mosh of piano, drums, winds and whistling! Great opener.
(2) "The Flower Man" - Right off the bat you are greeted with a robotic voice and pentatonic sounds of the Orient. Reminds me of Gold Panda. Song really gets cooking nicely by the end, with some nice syncopation.
(3) "Pain from Love" - Much more light hearted to start, with sort of an upbeat Raggae feeling, which is why I called their music post-raggae. Afro beat too, with sort of a call and response thing going on.
(4) "Ooh Wa" - At first, it so sounds new wavish, with synth and all, but the drumming is so much more sophisticated and it is so Rubblebucket. This track is definitely more dreamy than anything else they've done before, but for some reason I don't mind it.
(5) "Pain from Love Reprise" - Made to sound old, with the vocals as if they are over the radio or something. Lo-fi goodness, but not a real song necessarily, just a snippet. Goes back and forth between two tempos, nice touch.
    There you have it, Rubblebucket's Oversaturated (EP). You can listen to it in full on their MySpace, here. Also, I've linked just the song "(focus) Oversaturated" over under the 'Monthly Sample Tracks'. Purchase the record and all subsequent remixes in one "digital music pack" on their website, here. Enjoy!