Cautiously Optimistic
Rob Duskey & the Rounders
Slanted House

Somewhere out there, someone is breaking someone else's heart. And that is something that we should all secretly be a bit grateful for. Cautiously Optimistic, the new album from Rob Duskey and The Rounders is a shimmering example at least one positive side effect of the emotional wrecking ball. Without it, I'm not sure that we'd be hearing tracks with names like "Woman Overboard," "Used To It," and "The Negatives." Duskey certainly has come a long way since I first saw him perform at The Winchester's weekly open mic last year -- an evening in which he impressed with a solid performance that immediately registered him on my list of Cleveland locals to keep an eye on.

In that time, Duskey continued to develop his songwriting, formed a band under the name of The Rounders, and secured a record deal in January with the Boston dance-techno label Slanted House – despite being neither "dance" nor "techno."

Cautiously Optimistic is flat out, a good time rock and roll tale of many loves found and many loves lost, played out in eight tracks over 34 minutes. Chris Hanna (Jack Fords, Chris Allen) adds heaping helpings of luscious Hammond organ fills and solos throughout the album that help to fill out the band sound of The Rounders. Stretching out, Hanna and guitarist Jan Bautista trade solos for nearly a minute and a half on "When I Go," providing one of the many highlights of the album. And just when you expect the band to kick back into full gear and another verse from Duskey, the track ends with a serious sneak attack of an ending. Duskey and the Rounders take a similarly economic approach on several other tracks that are very likely expanded in the live setting, but appropriately abbreviated on the album.

Duskey's vocals on Cautiously Optimistic will remind music lovers of Dave Matthews Band, Counting Crows, Ben Harper, and even a bit of Rusted Root, thanks to the additional vocals of Jodi Dobos. Cleveland hasn't had a male/female vocalist rock record pairing as enjoyable as this in a long time, since perhaps the much loved alternative rockers The Waynes in the early 90s. Duskey and crew have songs, are ready to travel – and with any amount of justice, the world will become very familiar with Rob Duskey and the Rounders before the end of 2009.

Rob Duskey & the Rounders perform a no-cost show at Brothers Lounge, 11609 Detroit Ave., this Thursday May 14. Check out Duskey & Co. online at http://www.MySpace.com/RobDuskey. You can find Brothers Lounge online at http://www.BrothersLounge.com.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Matt Wardlaw mew5150ATcox.net

Wardlaw is truly Addicted to Vinyl; learn about all of his musical obsessions online at http://AddictedToVinyl.com/Blog.

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