sean bones

Sean Sullivan, aka Sean Bones, proves that white boys certainly can groove. His latest album is perfect for chilling out and catching some rays and will definitely be blasting from my earbuds when I relax on the beaches of California this summer.  I had the pleasure of meeting Bones at our video interview with him (which will be released along with our new site on May 17th). He had a fun and quirky personality that immediately drew me in, and, having never heard his music before, I hoped it had the same effect.

While his other band, Sam Champion, is on ice for a bit, Bones took the time to release some solo work. Rings, out now via Frenchkiss Records, is a collection of reggae-rock and ska grooves that just ooze indie while also showing off Bones’ personality.  ”Easy Street”, the album’s opener, incorporates the sound of organs and is an overall solid reggae-pop piece (with a hint of ska) while still maintaining a light, playful feel. “Coco” is yet another lighthearted tune and contains a beautifully sung chorus.  Switching it up a bit after the smoother tunes at the beginning of the album, “Dancehall” is the dance anthem of this album (if you didn’t catch that from reading the title). It continues the theme of organ-heavy instrumentals with a slick electric guitar solo thrown in.

Unlike a majority of the albums I’ve heard in recent years, Rings manages not to lose its gusto before the end of the CD. In fact, the best is at the end. The closing track, “Turn Them”, is a duet between Bones and Norah Jones. The guitar chords at the beginning of the song and the introduction of Bones’ voice is a bit misleading, but in the best way possible. I expected a slow closing track and got a cutesy duet instead, which I’d usually be opposed to. However, it really is an ideal closing to this summery piece, and I could imagine listening to it with a sunset as the backdrop.

While Bones’ voice occasionally gets lost among the instrumentals of a few of these tunes (“Smoke Rings” and “Captain Tying Knots”), the purpose of the album is fulfilled. My head was bobbing and my feet were tapping. I’d say it’s a solid album overall and will make for a great summer soundtrack, so I’m giving it four out of five stars.