Meet Puss n Boots – not the fairytale character, but the band comprised of Grammy award-winner Norah Jones, singer-songwriter Sasha Dobson, and Ryan Adams/Jack White bassist Catherine Popper. The trio formed back in 2008, playing informal gigs in Brooklyn bars and other small venues around New York. Their debut album, No Fools, No Fun, is a mixture of their live performances and studio recordings, be it original songs or covers by Tom Paxton and Neil Young.
Although the band has casual origins, the talent of its musicians is far from blasé. From the opening track “Leaving London,” Jones, Dobson, and Popper demonstrate a great blend of voice and instrument. It is unfortunate that the album plateaus from there. Even in the mere transition from slower to faster songs, No Fools, No Fun fails to capture the listener’s attention. The tracks all have a similar crooning melody, tight harmonies, and strumming guitars. It sounds lovely, but not distinguishable.
Perhaps the lack of a clear-cut genre is what waters down the album’s intrigue. A confused iTunes categorizes No Fools, No Fun under Americana, Jazz, Alternative Country, Rock, Adult Alternative, Singer/Songwriter...just to name several. And while Jones is as wonderful to listen to as ever – especially on “Jesus, Etc.” – her soft, jazz style seems out of place on tracks that veer more towards twangy folk. Clearly, Puss n Boots has some decisions to make about what type of band it wants to be. The final track, “You’ll Forget Me,” is an appropriate summary of it all. No Fools, No Fun is an easy-listening album that you will like in the moment, but soon forget once it stops playing.
Grade: B
Download: Jesus, Etc.
Sounds best when: You’re sitting in a waiting room.
