It takes a supreme amount of confidence to name your new band after the worst sequel ever, but it turns out The Quickening is also the brainchild of Blake Quick, former guitarist of Flow Tribe, who defected from the popular frat-funk-rock band last year, along with vocalist Rachel “Mama Ray” Murray.

As a vocal duo leading a typically loose group of backers, they’ve gone the full jamband route with their new project. The good-natured vibe of these ten songs—half live, half studio, and it speaks well of them that you can’t tell the difference—is more Phish than funk, albeit with that Metery base intact (courtesy of Cody Ruth’s bass and Scott Sibley’s kit).

Even their obligatory shaggy-dog barstool songs sound airy and philosophical. It’ll be a wicked hangover, yes, but not a story to tell your grandchildren.

Getting back to basics means these guys are often in danger of disappearing into the city’s cultural wallpaper (wry upbeat white funk being not exactly an endangered species ‘round these parts) but the stylistic detours keep you just distracted enough, like the wistful jazzy shuffle of “Wind Song” or the soul-styled samba of “Pepper.”

Even a straight blues like “Tree Tops” comes outfitted with swamp-pop turns and interesting harmonic shading. Turns out this group’s secret weapon isn’t Quick and Murray’s cornerstone harmonies but rather the fluid lead guitar (and pedal steel) lines of Dave Easley, who’s not afraid to use noise to lead the others out of their comfort zone. Which is gonna be necessary if they want to stand out, too: turns out “quickening” is also what happens when a baby is almost done gestating.

We’ll soon know what this offspring really looks like.