While Rustic Overtones have not formally announced a U.S. tour, they have been playing select dates across New England since the summer. I was lucky enough to catch them in October at Roxy in Boston and they did not disappoint. As soon as that show was over I needed to see them again immediately. Two months later (Friday), they played the intimate and historic Harpers Ferry.

Their set opened somewhat flowing and relaxed with "Man Without a Mouth," almost like they were easing into the night and feeling out the packed crowd. From their the pace instantly picked up and they rocked through song after song with amazing precision and energy. While there was minimal between song banter, it was evident that the band was having fun and thoroughly enjoying their return to Boston.

Probably my favorite aspect of the band is Spencer Albee's work on the keys and vocal harmonies. Whether it's the Stevie Wonder-like synth of "Troublesome," the B-3 organ on "Sugarcoat," or the note perfect accompaniment on "Rock Like War," Spencer's presence is essential rather than just an afterthought, thrown in to meet the new scene quota.

Overall, the show was awesome. Dave Gutter's vocals were sharp, the horns were on point and the rhythm section laid down the driving beats. I would have adjusted the mix slightly, lowering the drums and bringing up the vocals, but I'm not a sound engineer so what do I know? The great thing about Rustic Overtones is that they mix up their set lists and one show is never the same as the last. The pinnacle of the show came in it's final moments when the band closed the night with "Smoke" and mixed in an outro of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir." It was massive, heavy and made me feel like I was in London at the reunion show for the real thing.

The three song encore capped the night perfectly and had me singing the whole way home. It was a solid evening of music void of pretension and it felt good. Rustic Overtones prove that creativity and originality is not dead in music and that there is hope. Pick up their album(s), see them live and thank me later.