OurStage

The Stretch certainly has the jamband blueprint down straight: Volume and Verse is full of ripping guitar solos, carefully calculated compositions and tight, multi-part harmonies. The quartet is able to smoothly accelerate speed within a matter of minutes, handle jazzy delicacies like Faberge eggs and find a fun hook amidst a prog-jam. If the band wears its influences on its sleeve, there is something happily inviting about its brand of homespun jam-rock. Perhaps it’s that the group’s lyrics are reminiscent of a more innocent time or that Uncle Boogie Pants ignores the somewhat forced indie-sentiments of many modern jambands. Or maybe it’s that, like Phish, moe. Or Umphrey’s McGee before them, these guys simply rip.

Their charming album, Volume And Verse, is filled with smart pop rock tunes and electric rock chops. There’s a catchy, compelling tunefulness to the modern pop of “Faded And Forgotten” and the edgy crunch of “Head The Space.” Mike Rizman’s guitar playing is showy, but his solos and leads are melodic and soulful, and they illuminate the songs with wit and grace rather than simply technical flash. The lyrical twists and humorous narratives also show a beaming intelligence. You’ll enjoy this fiery album.