CD evokes Newsense live

"Eclectic" seems like too bland and refined a word to describe the explosive mix of sound that is Creating a Newsense.

The Manitou Springs band's sound is more like a homemade tie-dye shirt. Toss in a host of musical colors - jam, rock, blues, bluegrass, reggae, honky tonk - and watch them swirl together in unexpected and sometimes wonderful ways.

Creating a Newsense was recently named best local band in The Gazette's Best of the Springs magazine on the strength of its live show, and that show is on full display on the band's eponymous new live album, recorded April 24-25 at Pine Gables Tavern in Green Mountain Falls.

For their part, the quintet calls the sound "hard rockin', barn stompin', psychedelic porn funk." I'm not sure where the porn comes in, but the naked joy of the Newsense live show is definitely exposed on the 11 tracks on this album, along with the occasional spontaneity and sloppiness of live performance. It's much more reminiscent of a Dead bootleg than a polished pop product, and I suspect that's exactly what Newsense fans like about the band.

That's appropriate, since the Grateful Dead also seem to be the strongest influence on the Newsense sound. Of course, that's a slippery comparison because the Dead were about as eclectic - or homemade tie-dyed - as they come.

The songs are mostly originals by main songwriter Joe Johnson. There's the hardjam of "Ecstasy" that proves that when this band jams, it rocks instead of noodling. There's the good-time, honky-tonk stomp of "Roll Another One for the Road," which shows off some hot mandolin by Jason Gilmore. There's the torch twang of "You Don't Give a Damn." There are the funky grooves of "Sunny Day" and "Hope I Don't See You," which effectively steals from the classic "Ain't No Sunshine." And I dare you not to wiggle when you hear "On the 87" and "Roll Me Down Easy."

The songs are party starters. The vocals are solid. And the musicianship is great. It's a good album, but it's an even better advertisement for the Newsense live show.

DETAILS

Creating a Newsense, 4th annual Newsense Family BBQ

Where: Crystola Roadhouse, 20918 U.S. Highway 24 in Woodland Park

When: Barbecue 6-8 p.m. today; music starts about 9 p.m.

Tickets: Free admission. Take your own meat for the grill; drinks are available at the bar.