BoDeans

Founding members Sam Llanas and Kurt Neumann passed the 25-year mark together just before Llanas left the band in 2011—but during their tenure together, the duo was none too reckless about any one aspect of BoDeans’ sound, letting their roots-rockin’ side and gentle pop cushioning flow together in varying balances. Though it can feel a little indecisive at times, BoDeans maintain a big streak of goodwill in their music, and are at their best when they just let that rip out: “Closer To Free,” though best-known as a theme song for the TV show Party Of Five, helped to make 1993’s Go Slow Down a relatively hearty, sturdy affair, a legacy that continues through the new album,American Made.

Updated 06/18/2012