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Catfish Haven performs "Crazy for Leaving"

Out of Chicago comes a trio doing something pretty great. Okay, they ain’t rewriting the book or anything, but there is glory in going back to the basics, taking the good stuff, throwing it all together and making something new out of it. Catfish Haven create an entirely unique and refreshing blessing of direct rock and roll with old-time wear on its elbows and flavored like a Southern soul stew. Somehow this three-piece make themselves sound like the entire Stax house band. Okay , they’ve got some help from a horn section and backup singers in parts, but still, Tell Me is a fitting testament to bygone era. “Let It Go (Got to Grow)” is a solid and funky display of what frenetic guitar and handclaps can do. “Tell Me” is honest, corner boy doo-wop complete with singer/guitarist Hunter testifying, “I wanna be a good man/But I ain’t so bad.” Were it not for the ramshackle (at least to mainstream ears) production of “Crazy for Leaving,” it would be instantly fit for radio as it exudes ace songcraft and bristles with carefree joy and pop bliss. The record is as downhome and natural as anything you’ll hear this year. “Grey Skies” offers raw, countrified electric blues. Tell Me signals that Catfish Haven is likely to build a loyal army behind them of those who savor their collection of Otis Redding,Van Morrison, William Bell, Springsteen, Creedence and Marah.