Alex Blum and the Roadside Quartet: Funerals For Fun – Album Review

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

Joe DiMaggio had a 56-game hitting streak, Orel Hershiser pitched 59 consecutive scoreless innings, and the UCLA men’s basketball team won 88 consecutive games between 1971 and 1974. Added to the list is Patrick Storedahl with at least 12 great releases in a row that he was either the lead or a contributor. That is significant and you can add Funerals For Fun to the list. Astoundingly good writing, vocals, musicianship, and production is the hallmark of this release. I keep waiting for one Storedahl release that maybe isn’t quite as good as the others, but it hasn’t happened yet.

I digress. This is about Alex Blum and the Roadside Quartet and their stellar release entitled “Funerals For Fun”. The first thing that stands out is the diversity of the songs. The release begins in the space of what I would call adult contemporary and makes its way through some alt country and folk, a little bit of ’90s alternative and back to folk. It is the Alaska cruise of the inside passage of music. Every turn offers a new landscape and new scenery.

Alex Blum’s voice has matured and is more confident and self-assured. She delivers her lyrics like the seasoned pro that she is. Her musical versatility is quite impressive. Her vocals on Hey Hey Pennsylvania is an outstanding example of her musical and vocal prowess. This song sounds like it was produced by a huge team of record people but it wasn’t. The vocals are gorgeous and the words match the mood of the song perfectly. Add to that the high quality writing and the piano fills that teeter between background accents and lead instrument. A song about a lost love in a far away place. And adding a lyric about Lucinda Williams and Car Wheels on a Gravel Road is a true bonus.

Then there is Hum, a song that starts off with a Wurly fill that is reminiscent of I Heard it Through The Grapevine. The song abruptly takes a turn into rock with some crunchy electric guitar all the while Alex is in charge and delivering some incredible vocals. It is about escaping from a town or a place that is not ideal and longing going back to a place that is free from strife, full of freedom, and room to move. Patrick wrote all the words and delivers lyrics that are heady and introspective.

Time to give the band and players their props: Alex Blum handles lead vocals and trombone, while Peter Jansen contributes guitars and mixing. Patrick Storedahl adds guitars, keyboards, and backing vocals, with Ted Clark on drums, percussion, and backing vocals. Douglas Blum anchors the group on bass while also contributing percussion and backing vocals. The album also features Angie Blum on handclaps, Cory Briar on mandolin, Robert Mayclin on clarinet, and Riley Storedahl on saxophone. It seems to be a real family affair and that makes my heart happy.

I like songs that highlight a beautiful voice and no song does this better on Funerals For Fun than Road To I Don’t Know Yet. I don’t know if this was intentional but there seem to be quite a few songs about traveling and being on the road. It fits very well into the name of the group and into the country music motif, overall. In the words of Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski, “It really ties the room together.” Indeed! The intro really pulls you into the fold and then the rest of the song does the work of keeping the listener engaged. This is my third listen to this song and more because I absolutely adore it, not necessarily because I am featuring it in the review. It is one part work and three parts pure listening enjoyment.

It looks like both streaks remain in tact. Patrick Storedahl’s and Alex Blum and the Roadside Quartet’s streak of great releases continues. Both are undefeated. I cannot stress enough how incredibly well done every aspect of this release had been constructed. The writing, vocals, playing, mixing, and engineering are at a major label level yet these are just passionate musicians from southwest Washington. This is definitely a release all the players can be proud of – it is something special.

Listen and buy Funerals For Fun here.