"I first heard of Willis when their song "Standing By" appeared on the soundtrack to the movie Never Been Kissed. Inspired, I bought Bourgeois Blues hoping to hear something similar. What I got was something slightly different but a whole lot better! This CD deserves more than 5 stars. It's full of more melodic hooks and lyrical trickery than you can shake a stick at. The influences seem to range from The Beatles to Paul Simon and the style is like light rock with a slight country-feel and at some points leaning toward reggae-type rhythm. Tim Seely, the lead singer strikes me as very much a singer-songwriter with songs like "Truckers' Lullaby". The lyrics are colorful but you may need to break out the dictionary to extract any meaning from the title track. It is a very diverse album as there is a broad spectrum of moods from the upbeat "Bad Day" to the slow-moving "Sunshot Vistas". This band is very different from anything you've heard before therefore it is hard to put your finger on which genre they would fall under. I definitely look forward to their next album..."
Simon and Garfunkelish...
Matthew T. Rose | 06/17/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This has gotten lots of air time in Seattle on "The Mountain." Willis' song "Testimony" has an interesting style with great acoustic guitar that draws you into the song. A great addition to your Adult Alternative collection."
A Fresh Fusion of Flavors
Katie | seattle, wa | 07/06/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album uses many different musical styles to create great songs (not jams). Willis blends bits of rock, folk, groove, and blues, resulting in a uniquely exciting sound that makes you want to get up and move (in a Dave Mathews kind of way. The highlights of the CD are clearly tracks 1,2 and 4. However, the other two tracks illustrate Willis' diversity and songwriting ability. The influences are varied, but there is evidence of Paul Simon (in a modern rockier form). Check this CD out and their forthcoming full length CD due out July 17th (Gravelled and Gray)."
Awesome Short Album
Paul | Seattle, Washington | 06/22/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album is an excellent display of these guys' music talent. The 5 songs on this album really show the ability of the band to play all types of music. The song "Bourgeois Blues" is just like the title, very blues-rocky. While the ballad "Trucker's Lullaby" is a haunting story of a man's last thoughts as he nears his sudden and unexpected death. Perhaps the best song on the album is "Bad Day," which shows just how versatile this band is. It is a mesh of great music/lyrics/and feel.It is very difficult to figure out what genre of music Willis belongs to. It sounds like a combination of old school mellow rock to modern rock. This album, and the band in general, definitely has Paul Simon like influences but with a modern edge. All in all, this album is very good. The only problem with is that it only has 5 songs. Check this album out if you are open minded and looking to hear something a little different than what we normally here on the radio."
Just wait, just wait......
cramercasey | Seattle, WA United States | 03/07/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Willis is perhaps the most promising band currently on the ever bubbling and changing Seattle music scene. They released a self titled album a few years back that introduced those besides their college based fan group to their unique style of music. Over the past couple of years, they have matured and polished their sound into what is heard here on this album. But if you like what you hear on "Bourgeois Blues," just wait, just wait. I have not only heard them many a time in concert, but I have also gotten a hold of an industry only release that they sent out to record companies that features many of the songs from the upcoming album. Like I said, if you like this, then just wait, becuase you will be blown away by what is to come. Every song just has that feeling, they just make you smile and want to get up and dance, and to sing along at the top of your lungs. So keep your eyes and ears open for these guys, you can check out the website at willisband.com."