The Sh-Booms, The Blurred Odyssey
Spanning most of this decade, the ascent of these Orlando garage-soul saviors has been long and winding. But with the spring release of this sweltering opus on hot Miami label Limited Fanfare, it seems their career has finally achieved a certified breakthrough. A model of strut, gut and soul, the album – by far their most crystallized and whopping work yet – has drawn tons of glowing press and even garnered a "Coolest Song in the World" shout on Little Steven's Underground Garage. It's been a welcome national splash that's validated something we've known around here for years: The Sh-Booms are ready for the world.
Photo illustration by Adam McCabe
1. Will's Pub, willspub.org
2. Mathers Social Gathering, mathersorlando.com
3. Tanqueray's, facebook.com/tanqueraysbar
1. The Hammered Lamb, thehammeredlamb.com
2. Eden Bar, enzian.org
3. The Porch, theporchwinterpark.com
1. Sportstown, sportstownbilliards.com
2. Spatz, facebook.com/spatz1025
3. The Matador, thematadororlando.com
1. Robbie Kennerney, Throwbacks Sanford
2. Dave Merkli, Tanqueray's
3. Big Rick, The Thirsty Topher
1. Angel of Boom, realradio.fm
2. Mango Beats, facebook.com/mango.beats.5
3. (tie) DJ BMF, mixcloud.com/djbmf
3. (tie) Dizzlephunk, dizzlephunk.com
1. '80s New Wave Night at Independent Bar
2. Mac n Cheese at Independent Bar
3. Girl the Party at Southern Nights
1. Sean Holcomb, seanholcomb.com
2. Layla Brisbois, facebook.com/laylabrisboisofficial
3. Oak Hill Drifters, oakhilldrifters.com
1. Hayfire, facebook.com/hayfire
2. Audio Exchange, audioexchangeband.com
3. Rockit Fly, rockitfly.com
1. Crooked Can Brewing Co., crookedcan.com
2. Redlight Redlight, facebook.com/redlightredlight
3. Hourglass Brewing, hourglassbrewing.com