Album Review: Sneezy — Open Doors
A funk/jam band based in Chicago, Sneezy has released Open Doors as its third album. Don’t be put off by the jam label; while elements of that noodlesome, unfocused style may be part of the Sneezy mix, this 14-track studio release is a collection of compact, tightly-focused tunes. Belying the jam tag, only one of the tracks runs past the four-minute mark, and then only barely.
There’s a loose, friendly vibe to the music, with tasty instrumental work and exuberant massed vocals. Sneezy seamlessly folds in elements of hip hop, Steely Dan-style arrangement and an overall character that reminds me of Doobie Brothers crossed with Average White Band, Wet Willie and a bit of Arrested Development.
A cut like “Not Sorry” shows a reggae influence; “Skip” sounds more like Toto, albeit with some (grrrr) AutoTune vocal treatments. Sneezy seems to want to have it both ways: aiming to appeal both to a jam crowd as well to the kind of people who actually like the music coming out of their gym’s loudspeakers. That’s an ambitious goal – and one that risks falling short of pleasing either camp – but the band is to be commended for reaching high. It’s beyond dispute that fans of one style or the other will find at least parts of Open Doors to their liking.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.