ALBUM REVIEW: The Alec Lewis Group Covers Immense Sonic Ground on Debut EP
*This review originally appeared in our February 2025 issue*
Photo by Kiki Vassilakis
“the guitar tones across the board would make John Mayer swoon, and the tight, dry drum tones act as sonic flypaper that everything else sticks to with ease.”
Throughout the last couple years, Alec Lewis has been making a name for himself. He has become one of our area’s most exciting songwriters, blending genres and an affinity for musical theatre in unique ways within the orbit of what we call “pop” music. As a sucker for well-crafted “pop” music, The Alec Lewis Group’s debut EP checks all the right boxes.
Admittedly, the use of “pop” is a bit of a misnomer – Don’t Cross Me has more in common with a Steely Dan record than it does a modern pop record, but if you look far enough behind the curtain, you’ll find the sensibilities are all there. There’s hooks for days. There’s tight structures. There’s methodical arrangements. It’s funk music without unnecessarily long jam sessions, and it’s pop music with real instruments.
The EP’s title track is a fantastic introduction to this new project. (Lewis has previously released two solo EPs, 2022’s How Are We Fine? And 2024’s Pocket Pop.) “Don’t Cross Me” is a searing analysis of time spent in Catholic school in his youth; it feels like the rather tongue-in-cheek chorus is being spat at you with conviction and Lewis, with the occasional dip into near-spoken-word territory, sells it oh so well. Elsewhere, “Six Show Week” is a mostly autobiographical look at life as a freelance live sound engineer. “Nothing hits better than a six show week / Coming straight off three hours of sleep…” he sings, reminding us – or maybe himself? – that while sometimes it’s a grind, doing the thing you love comes with an endless set of rewards.
“Half Empty/Half Full” is a true highlight, and not just within the EP’s short track listing; it’s honestly one of the best local songs you’re likely to hear all year. With an ‘everyday guy living his everyday life’ kind of story, the influence of one of Lewis’ favorite bands – Dawes – really comes through here. The vocal delivery is fascinating, the rhythm section is locked at the hip, and the lyrics are just perfection. “I want to trust people, but people fucking suck…” begins the chorus. Not only do I love a well-placed f-bomb, I also love a truth bomb. “Half Empty/Half Full” is more than half full of those.
Furthermore, it can not be overstated just how good this record sounds. Expertly mixed by Daniel DeKalb and mastered by Paul Hake, the guitar tones across the board would make John Mayer swoon, and the tight, dry drum tones act as sonic flypaper that everything else sticks to with ease. The fact that this was recorded in a home studio – by Lewis himself, no less! – is truly a feat. This record continues to drive home the fact that you don’t need a giant budget and an expensive studio to make impressive sounding music.
All in all, Don’t Cross Me is an exceptional debut that covers a lot of sonic ground in just four songs. Of course, I would urge anyone who’s a fan of any of the artists name dropped above to go check this out, but really, if you’re a music fan – regardless of the genre – this one’s not to be missed.
Don’t Cross Me is out today on all major streaming services, and Bandcamp.
