Charlotte rock band Simplified, who has been selling out The Visulite for a couple of years now, will celebrate the release of its latest album “Brighter Days” Friday at the Elizabeth Avenue venue. It sounds like the group pulled out all the stops for the new disc working with producer Jerry DePizzo, the saxophonist for jam rock band O.A.R. (who Simplified has opened for in the past). Jeff Juliano who has worked with the Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, and Train mixed the album and Brian Lucey, who mastered the Grammy winning Black Keys’ album “Brothers” (one of the best sounding albums of last year) handled that aspect of “Brighter Days.”
Fans of Simplified (pictured above) should dig the album’s warm vibe. There are feel good tracks like the reggae-tinged “Sitting on a Mountain” and “My Life” as well as more rocking ready-made singles like the opener “Shall We Begin." I can easily imagine the latter falling into rotation at WEND 106.5. There’s a bit of Dave Matthews and a bit of Matchbox 20 and vocalist Clee Laster’s voice kind of reminds me of the offspring of Matthews and Eddie Vedder but with more restraint. The whole record boasts the kind of relaxed feel Simplified is known for – the kind of chill that warrants a pair of flip-flops and a beer.
If you can't make the show the album is available at Amazon.com, iTunes, and to order online. 8 p.m. $12-$15. 704-358-9200.
i have seen these guys a few times, ok music, but they surely dont sell out the Visulite. More or less a Dave Matthews cover band. Whatever happened to The Noises 10, now that was a real band that packed out the Viz.
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