I've tried pretty hard to figure out why I don't like Vulfpeck more than I do. The answer's not obvious and I don't think it's about Joe Dart specifically.
Here's what I think it is:
Funky instrumental jazz fusion band with chopsy bass player.
That's a formula that's been around for a very long time. It's been done really, really well. Like, incredibly well. Vulfpeck is a decent band - there's not a weak link among the members from what I can see. But I'm 50 years old now, I've heard a lot of this kind of stuff - there's better out there. Vulfpeck's music is pretty straightforward, I find it musically "accurate" but not very interesting or emotive. Not that "funky instrumental jazz fusion" is supposed to be emotive per se, but these guys just come off as mechanical. And I really can't stand the keyboard player's antics.
At risk of drawing fire for a specific comparison, I'd look at Garaj Mahal as having roughly the same musical formula but with more intersting songwriting breadth and in my opinion better playing across the band.
Does bring me around to a really good thing about Vulfpeck, though. Maybe Garaj Mahal is "better," but very few people outside of a certain scene in the Bay Area know about them. Vulfpeck on the other hand filled up Red Rocks here a couple years ago, on their own. They have passed a certain popularity tipping point, and good for them.
Vulfpeck is one of seemingly few bands who play real musical instruments, play them hard, and who seem built for the live experience. They are attracting a lot of young players and making them more interested in their style of music. Gateway band, maybe. That, in itself, is a great service.
So I don't love Vulfpeck personally but I'm glad they're around.
