William Steffey is one of those rare musicians who can switch between genres without getting lost in the process. Try pigeonholing his latest album Reality Jockey and find that it can’t be done. The Chicago based a songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, can play gnarly instrumentals like Lamppost on Sawyer and Rise, and a pop song like Rookie of the Year and Stay Up Later that could have been Hall & Oates singles. Jazzy crooning? Try Decidedly Blue or Goodbye Cassiopeia. Last but least: demented heavy art rock gets an outing with the title track.
Steffey is a PR manager’s worst nightmare, who will be lost for words in search for all inclusive catch phrase. Reality Jockey is an album by an artist who does what he pleases. Dive in with open ears or get out.
by Hans Werksman from Here Comes The Flood
