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THE DREW BOWDEN 3: Be Still

The sound of The Drew Bowden 3 is folky-rocky and inspired by “our fragile world”. Damn, now I can’t get the John Butler Trio out of my head – and they’re not that similar actually. The DB3 are a good, tight trio with restrained drumming and supportive double bass playing which forms the backdrop for Bowden to showcase his breathy singing, and slightly gutsier guitar playing. I initially thought the band’s name referred to the fact that Bowden is a multi-tasker, he sings and plays almost everything on some tracks. Part recorded in Australia and part in Whangamata, the album ventures into faux-Radiohead falsetto vocal styles on She Says and even parts that sound a little Jeff Buckley-istic. The refined guitar playing suddenly bursts into phased phantasticness halfway through Perfect Sun Rise and a brief outbreak of scat-singing on Not So Bad also adds a refreshingly different texture. Bowden’s bio twice mentions difficulties securing funding, the last rejection making him decide to give up music for a couple of years. I read that just as I started listening to the CD and subsequently the vocals sounded a little whiney, but good on Drew for picking up his guitar again, because he’s damn good at what he does. His songwriting is just as good as his instrumental facility and if the proof’s in the pudding he’ll get his just desserts. •

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