Album Review: Dear Gabby/All I Want’N Need by The Three Octaves & Bobby Hammack Orchestra
Alright, let’s get one thing straight—this album doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but dang if it doesn’t make that wheel spin with some serious swagger. Released under Plebe Records (shoutout to the underdog labels!), this little slice of Americana blends pop sensibilities with rock grit and a splash of doo-wop charm. It's like your grandpa’s vinyl collection had a baby with your cousin’s Spotify playlist. And honestly? I’m here for it.
First up, we’ve got “All I Want’N Need.” Now, don’t let the apostrophe fool you into thinking this is some pretentious art piece—it’s pure, unfiltered fun. The track kicks off with a rollicking piano riff that feels like someone spilled coffee on the keys in the best way possible. Then comes the vocals, dripping with old-school bravado and enough harmonies to make you wonder how many people are actually singing at once. What sticks with me about this tune is its relentless energy. You can practically hear the band grinning through their instruments as they jam out. If this song were a person, it’d be the life of every party—slightly sweaty, slightly loud, but impossible not to love.
Then there’s “Dear Gabby,” which flips the vibe entirely. Where “All I Want’N Need” is all rambunctious joy, this track leans into something smoother, almost cinematic. Picture a smoky jazz club where everyone's wearing hats indoors for no reason (you know, classic cool). The melody has this lazy sway to it, like it doesn’t have a care in the world, and yet it grabs hold of you anyway. There’s a moment near the middle where the strings swell just right, and suddenly you’re transported to wherever dreams go when they grow up. Or maybe you're just daydreaming about last night's pizza. Either way, it works.
The genres here—pop, rock, rock ‘n’ roll—are stitched together with the kind of effortless flair that makes you think, “Why don’t more bands try this?” Sure, it’s not perfect; sometimes the transitions feel a bit too eager, like a puppy chasing its tail. But hey, isn’t that part of the charm? This album doesn’t take itself too seriously, and neither should you.
As for the unexpected remark: Listening to Dear Gabby/All I Want’N Need made me realize two things. One, Bobby Hammack’s orchestra might secretly be wizards because who else could pull off such lush arrangements without breaking a sweat? And two, if aliens ever invade Earth demanding proof of human creativity, we should totally play them this album. They’ll either leave us alone or ask for an encore.
So yeah, give it a spin. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself humming “All I Want’N Need” while stuck in traffic tomorrow.
