Title: American Love Call
Artist: Durand Jones & the Indications
Label: Dead Oceans/Colemine
Formats: CD, LP, Digital
Release date: March 1st, 2019

America’s new favorite soul band, Durand Jones & the Indications, have released yet another electrifying album packed full of love ballads, message songs and that live studio band sound that has listeners wanting to dust off their old record players. The group’s sophomore album, American Love Call, has gained much success since its release in March. Rolling Stone magazine wrote, “While the messages on American Love Call can be more pointed, the sound is more honeyed.” This “honeyed” sound is the doo wop vocals on ballads such as “Court of Love,” featuring drummer Aaron Frazer’s fine falsetto, and the smooth rhythm and blues vocal harmonies on “What I Know About You.”  The group’s grittier soulful side is demonstrated by Jones on the ‘60s inspired message song, “Morning in America.”

Recorded for $452.11, including a case of beer, the Indications’ 2016 self-titled debut was the product of five friends who met as students at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Jones and the band’s guitar player, Blake Rhein, are also notable staff alumni of the IU Soul Revue and the African American Arts Institute at IU, a program known for being a meeting ground and cultivation space for various popular musicians such as Lance Tolbert (music director of Mariah Carey and Will.I.Am) and Crystal Taliefero (multi-instrumentalist for Billy Joel and John Mellencamp). Since the release of American Love Call, the band has performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and also have song credits on popular television shows such as the DC Comics series Black Lightning.

It is without a doubt that you will become a fan of Durand Jones & the Indications after listening to their new album. You can also catch them live in a city near you during their world tour this summer!

Reviewed by Bobby E. Davis Jr