Daily Loaf

I stumbled upon one of my favorite area bands while meandering through Ybor City several months back: Asilo, a Lakeland-based fivesome whose music caught my ear, stole my heart and rocked my socks off. The show was not enough for me. I was addicted and needed a daily Asilo fix. Thankfully, they granted my wish and self-produced an amazing album that I’ve been spinning nonstop for the past week.

Fine Goods is their debut full-length that features 12 unforgettable songs. Pop it in and be prepared to be taken back in time to the late ’60s classic rock era. (Think Pink Floyd meets The Doors flavored with hints of jazz, blues and Motown; you can thank Sean Thomas and his trumpet for that.) Musically, the album starts out with lazy bass lines and jazzy piano intricately dispersed in and out of a slow-moving guitars riff. The song picks up along with frontman Ben Strok’s vocals. At one point, he sounds so much like Jim Morrison that he makes me feel like singing “Break on Through.” Classically trained, but very experimental and jazzy, Walter Gutowski adds so much to this band, his piano playing mimicking that of Ray Manzarek from The Doors, but with his own twist. And he plays barefoot, which is awesome.

“Devil’s Song” is blues all the way with raspy and sweet vocals. But my favorite song on the album by far is “The Bulbis,” a five-minute Latin music-influenced instrumental with plenty of trumpet and bass to make you  wanna shake it.

Overall, Fine Goods is great song after great song. The music is contagious and catchy and always stuck in my head. This is a band that would’ve fit right in at Woodstock, the members cool and laid back, and their music managing to soothe all of my classic rock needs.

The album is great, but it doesn’t do these guys justice — you have to see Asilo live. There is so much energy and improvisation. I saw them last at the Market on 7th with new second guitarist Eli Tietjen in August. I thought I loved Asilo the first time I saw them, but Eli added so much depth to the music, I instantly loved them even more. Not only were his solos amazing, but he also played bass and threw in some back-up vocals from time to time. Oh yeah, that’s one thing I forgot to mention. Sean and Eli like to trade instruments every once in a while. Impressive.

Asilo performs at Market on 7th next Saturday, November 14, so make sure to come out, get a copy of Find Goods, and enjoy some kick ass music.

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