Those wily Warsaw blues brothers known collectively as Summertime Blues Band are back with their second full-length release Picture Perfect, a collection of nine originals and two classic covers.

Finding greater comfort in the studio of T. Bush Record Plant, the band spreads its wings by trying out a few new sounds with additional instruments and styles. This is immediately evident in the title track where organs (Larry DeVincent), sax (Andy Kopis) and rich vocal harmonies in the chorus enhance the tight blues sound. With three lead vocalists in the band there is an amazing variety of styles to please the ear. In addition, guitarist Bill Kolter and bassist Ted Carter trade instruments, as they do on "Walkin' The Dog", adding yet another level of depth to their sound with Carter laying down one of many scorching guitar solos found on this offering.

As before the lyrics have a wry humor that is sure to bring a smile to your face. Top among these is "Fast Lane Blues" which bemoans such rich-guy travesties as a Beemer in need of repainting, nagging personal trainers and escalating tax brackets. Fans of wailing harmonica will giggle with girlish delight at the many solos that spout from Bill Gieras' adorning such songs as "Sleeping With The Blues," "Honey Bee" and "My Drink (Is On Its Way)," a clever song whose sole purpose in life is to get the band free drinks. "Mid-Love Crisis" is a heavy and driving southern blues song with a sinister edge, while "Every Day I Have the Blues" is the opposite, with bright guitars, upbeat tempo and the lyrics like "Nobody loves me / Nobody seems to care" that sound like they were insincerely sung through a smile. A final standout track is the rollicking, rowdy "Sweet Matilda" that includes honky-tonk piano, raunchy sax and the always impressive drumming of Zeek Bailey.

Far from the sophomore jinx, Picture Perfect takes the expressive sound found on their first album and carefully stretches the boundaries, all while retaining a solid foundation in blues. While hard-core blues fans will surely find perfection on these tracks, the subtle broadening of musical scope will certainly serve to bring more fans into the fold of this talented band.

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