Shift

TapWater is five guys from San Diego who formed the band four years ago. As they say on their Web site (www.tapwater.net), “TapWater is an American jam rock experience … that blends rock, funk, Latin, jazz, bluegrass, country, blues and pop into darn good music.” This, the band’s second CD, features 13 originals—and I do mean originals. “Bear Sleeps In,” for example, is about “Bearo el perro” who “pays a price for living in a world of human life” and just wants to run free. Its zany humor offsets the darker “Link Sausage Lady” who’s “muy loco” and in a padded room. Although the lyrics are a bit bleak, the music is infectiously rhythmic, with pianist Tim Jones laying down a serious montuno groove and some superb guitar by Ravi Laird. As advertised, the “jam rock experience” pops up quite a bit, and is especially effective on songs like “Ya Mar” (with Jones on organ and more shredding guitar from Laird) and “In the Dirt,” both terrific Latin-flavored numbers.

Four members—in their acoustic “Travelin’ TapWater” mode (guitar, banjo, accordion and bass)—will perform at LaSalles tonight, July 5, at 6 p.m.