My Amazon Reviews: Dawes "Stories Don't End"

Story Telling
4 Out Of 5 Stars

Does your definition of classic rock mean the likes of Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne and the Eagles? If so, you're going to love the third album from Dawes. "Stories Don't End" exquisitely recreates the sound that used to be made by 'the mellow mafia,' with each song drenched in harmony, acoustic guitars and no overloading bombast to startle or shock you. It's breezy California rock that could have easily dropped in from the late 70's, and that is meant in a good way.

Vocalist Taylor Goldsmith is often a dead ringer for Jackson Browne, in fact the title track could have easily been an outtake from any given 70's Browne album. They work up singer songwriter storytelling (the cover image is the band around a campfire, theatrically passing along some sort of legend in the dark), with songs like "From A Window Seat." Following America from one side to the other, it's a chronicle of the country and its loner/losers from a tour plane and self-examination, and the disc's best song. But that doesn't even take into account just how good some of the other songs on "Stories" are. They blend jewel precise three part harmonies (the title track), wistful lyricism ("Just My Luck") and a sense of classic pop ("Hey Lover") into a seamless album.

If you're nostalgic for the sounds that used to flow out of Laurel Canyon or just miss really well done singer-songwriter music in general, Dawes is just for you. They may be making throwback music, but theirs is not a nostalgic viewpoint. "Stories Don't End" is grounded in the here and now, and is a triumphant album to have in this decade.

     

My Amazon Reviews: The Shins "Point of Morrow"

Mercer, Becker, Fagen,
4 Out Of 5 Stars

Once upon a time, Steely Dan was a band. Built around an axis of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen that duo eventually decided the sounds they were thinking of could only be achieved by a rotating crew of musicians, but continued on under the Steely Dan moniker. Not so long ago, there was another band, called The Shins. Recently, their leader, one James Mercer, decided roughly the same thing. The records he wanted to make would only be created if he jettisoned the previously assembled band and rotated assorted musicians into the line-up per the songs' requirements. Thus is born "Port of Morrow," and he still calls it an album by The Shins.

This is not a bad thing. Steely Dan became a major force in modern music, and The Shins may just find their way onto the same pantheon. Mercer's ongoing fascination with perfection via dreamy and lush pop-tunes still makes for an affecting listen. I'm guessing the Broken Bells project got his experimental urges out of his system, because these songs are rich with choruses and memorable melodies. "Simple Song" pokes fun at the whole system, while there's even a song called "Bait and Switch" to tease the Broken Bells crowd with its airy intro, before breaking into a melody worthy of prime REM.

"Point Of Morrow" walks a tightwire between alt/indie pop ("No Way Down") and sweet love songs ("40 Mark Strauss"). The precision and perfection of the album (especially in the production) may have fans whimpering sell-out, but this sounds like James Mercer growing up and into his own music. I am already feeling this may be one of 2012's best albums.

   

My Amazon Reviews: Jack Johnson "In Between Dreams"

Waiting for The Wake Up Call 
3 Out Of 5 Stars

Jack Johnson is the undisputed heir to the Jimmy Buffet world of breezy, feel good laconic pop. There's plenty of decent melody, a relaxing voice that hardly intrudes into your hemispheres, and a likable personality that thinks it might be fun to share a beer and some good times with the guy. The problem with "In Between Dreams" is that Johnson never gets much more interesting than that. You keep hoping that he might eventually show more depth than a beach layabout, but for that you'd have to jump ahead to his albums "Sleep Through The Static" and "To The Sea," where grown up concerns finally started giving his music some edge.

On "In Between Dreams," however, Johnson lacks any intellectual heft. "Banana Pancakes" is like a second cousin of Michael Franks' "Popsicle Toes" (or a stoned version Buffet's "Cheeseburger In Paradise") and then Johnson essentially rights the same song later in the album. That kind of repetition is a major issue throughout the album, as Johnson's carefree attitude with everything tends to render many of these songs to similar to be distinctive. It becomes easy to see why he became an early favorite with college kids; the mellowness would certain lend bland but irony-free trendiness to many a hipster party.

That's not to say the album is all bad. Johnson peaks midway through "In Between Dreams" with "Good People," the lyrically trippy "Sitting Waiting Wishing" and the funky "Staple It Together." These songs preview how much better Johnson's following albums - even the cutsie kiddie songs he recorded for the Curious George movie, in which his friendly voice is perfect - would become.


 

My Amazon Reviews: Donavon Frankenreiter "Glow"

Glowing Review  
3 Out Of 5 Stars

Donavon Frankenreiter started life as a buddy of Hawaiian mellow king Jack Johnson, and his 2010 album "Glow" remains firmly riding that wave. Easy, breezy melodies, strummed guitars and ukuleles, and a laid back attitude that could give you a suntan just by laying too close to the speakers. Along with his raspy, but agreeable voice, Donavon creates a likable lightwieght album for picnics and luaus. There's a sunny, beachy feel to "Glow" with the artist thoroughly enjoying his role as good-guy dude.

However, much like Jack Johnson's earlier work, Donavon his pretty low on depth. The title track is a fine ode to the love of your life, and on "Shadows," a very "Pride in The Name Of Love" guitar riff provides "Glow's" only surprise. The whole of "Glow" is subtle and warm, an anti-anxiety massage full of such peppy sentiments like "Dance Like Nobody's Watching" or cheery lyrics like:

"Don't worry 'bout a thing
Heaven knows what the day will bring
There's a big old sun, lighting up your sky
Burnin' off your blues, let the good light shine
It's gonna be all right."

"Glow" is a pleasant and enjoyable Pina Colada. It will make you mellow and buzzy, but that's the most you'll get from it.