Ferris & Sylvester (from the album Superhuman

Ferris & Sylvester (from the album Superhuman available on Archtop Records) (by Lee Zimmerman)

Between the two people inherently involved, the duo that refers to themselves as Ferris & Sylvester seem to possess a singular old soul. Their debut effort Superhuman boasts a retro style — some genuinely inspired R&B, a sizable quotient of barn-burning rock and roll, and the robust ability to make it all meld within a synchronized setting. Despite whatever the title seems to suggest, the album doesn’t exactly hint at any preternatural powers, but it is upbeat enough to provide potential that they could eventually evolve into headliners with the credence and confidence necessary to bring an ever-growing number of fans into their fold.
 
That’s apparent at the outset, courtesy of the tracks that dominate the set overall. The title track, “Golden”, and “Demons” establish a combination of full-throttle R&B and a relentless rock and roll attitude, one reminiscent of such classic and contemporary combos as Delaney, Bonnie and Friends, Stone the Crows, and the Tedeschi-Trucks Band. The approach they take throughout is both brash and brazen, a no-holds-barred, all-out delivery that eschews the usual cuddly boy-girl chemistry in favor of a power duo possessing energy and commitment to spare.
 
Various emotive offerings are interspersed in the midst of the angst and edge, providing further evidence of the pair’s adroit expression. They range from the tender (“Sickness”, “Breadwinner”) to the tempestuous (“This Is How My Voice Sounds”, “Special”, “Thunder Love”), the latter songs conceived as definitive power ballads that soar on the sheer strength of their drive and determination.
 
Ultimately, Superhuman is an able debut, one which suggests Ferris & Sylvester have the potential to develop as heavy hitters once they’re able to refine their material by tempering their verve with some variety. One they accomplish that, any true superhuman factor will likely appear that much more apparent. (By Lee Zimmerman)
 
For more information and purchase options, please visit the Ferris & Sylvester website

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