So much music, and so much time....

Hello, all!  Hopefully you aren't sick of my other blog, Scott Moreau On Tour.....if you are, I apologize.  If not.....YAY!!!!  I have a good amount of time on my hands, and I have started buying and listening to a large amount of music.  Being surrounded by extremely talented musicians and songwriters, I started picking their brains as to the music they listen to, their influences, and what inspires them.  In a lot of ways, we have similar musical tastes.  In others, I have been introduced to artists and bands that I never would've found or been interested in on my own.  Now, to give you an understanding of just HOW MUCH music I have gotten while I've been on the road, I will just list a few examples:

Ryan Adams

My Morning Jacket

Tom Waits

Bon Iver

Band Of Horses

The Gaslight Anthem

                                                                                               As in, each of their catologues in their entirety.......Yeah.  So, I'm going to start by reviewing a couple of albums I am currently listening to, or have just listened to.  Pretty much everything I've been playing is available on iTunes or in stores, though there are a couple of exceptions.  Please comment and let me know what you think, or if you are listening to anything you think I would like.  And, as always, check back for more posts!  Now, on to the reviews......

THE BEACH BOYS:  SMILE SESSIONS

A quick word before I talk about the album.  If your knowledge of the Beach Boys is limited to enjoying Surfin' Safari or Surfin' USA....pretty much ONLY Beach Boys songs with "Surfin" in the title, this album is not for you.  If, however, you are one of many who believe that Pet Sounds is one of the most brilliant, artistic and important albums ever written, you will LOVE this. 

A bit of history (this is just what I know, and have learned over the years);  SMILE was supposed to be the Beach Boy's follow-up to Pet Sounds.  Now, Brian Wilson's mental issues are well-known/documented, so this is what kept SMILE from being released.  In the early 2000's, Brian released a solo version of SMILE.  Basically, he went back to what he had originally written, finished it, and recorded it all himself.  Now, while interesting, and a teaser for fans who had been waiting for this "lost" album to be released, it's not all that good.  Mostly because it's hard to duplicate the full sound of the Boys with overdubs, etc.  And, because Mr. Wilson is getting up there in age. 

That said, the SMILE SESSIONS are essentially just the tapes of what was recorded to become part of the album.  Some are full songs with multiple takes, others are just snippets of songs he was working on.  Overall, it's fantastic.  It includes an alternate take of Good Vibrations, which was originally slated to be on the finished record.  He also sings a lot about vegetables; but again, it's Brian Wilson, so it is to be expected.  The beauty of this record, on every track, is the brilliant harmonies of the Boys.  It illustrates just how amazingly they worked together, and the genius of Brian's arrangements and writing. 

For those who love a cappela singing, there is a TON of it.  To the point where it really reminded me of a group I used to listen to in high school, the King's Singers. 

So, overall, I would have to give this box set a 5 out of 5.  I got the smaller version that has two discs, extensive liner notes, and a poster.  The deluxe version features everything I just mentioned, plus the sessions on vinyl LP, two 45's and a companion book.  Depends on how big a fan you are, or in my case, whether or not you have a place to put it on tour.......

DAWES:  NOTHING IS WRONG

John Michael suggested this band to me.  It also turns out that Lee is good friends with these guys, and has played with them on occasion. 

Great record.  The stand-out track to me is IF I WANTED SOMEONE.  I don't know what influenced this band, but I would say CLEARLY that Crosby, Stills and Nash, Neil Young and ESPECIALLY Jackson Browne have to be foremost in their list. 

Just a good rootsy, stripped down indie record.  And the chorus of IF that has been going through my heads says "If I wanted someone to clean me up, I'd find myself a maid.  If I wanted someone to spend my money, then I wouldn't have to get paid". 

I'll give this one 4 out of 5.  If you dig any of the indie bands out there today such as The Gaslight Anthem, or Wilco, you will dig this record. 

FREDDY AND FRANCINE:  ALL THREE RECORDS

I have to be honest:  It would be very hard for me to review these three records on their own.  My castmate, Lee, is one of the founding members of this now no longer band.  Singer, songwriter, guitarist.  He's so immensely talented, that I HAD to seek this records out and buy them.  And man, am I glad I did.  The albums in chronological order are:  the EP, The Briar Patch, and The Forest and The Sea.  Now, I would have to say that The Forest and The Sea is not only my favorite of the three, but it is also the most solid.  However, each of these is not to be missed.  These albums did something to me that very few albums or artists ever do:  they inspired me to be creative and make MY OWN music.  That is about the biggest compliment I could ever pay an artist. 

Standout track to me on the EP is Over And Over.  Gorgeous.  Amazing songwriting.  Great chorus.  Fantastic hook.  The harmonies are beautiful and flawless.  And the spooky "oohs" in the break are stupifying. 

I love 8 Pages on Briar Patch.  It's like an old-school blues song with a new feel.  Great gospel-y-feeling chorus, and the line "It took her 8 Pages to just to say she don't love me".  This song clearly illustrates the limitless notes in Lee's range, and the soul behind his voice.  Blows me away. 

With The Forest and The Sea, I have a tougher time, because it's....well....and fantastic record.  Mama stuck out to me at first because it's just slow, beautiful and kinda sad.  Striking, really. 

The last song, I Don't Wanna Go is full of indecision and pain in the writing....and the starkness of the vocals and guitar playing is haunting.....it belongs in ANY fantastic movie with a character who is struggling with their decision to walk away from a loved one, or who is going through a breakup; you know what I mean....and as you read this, I hope you can picture it.  "If my heart is a garden, then I need you to rain.  Come on down and pour it over me".  And the last song I will talk about is Anna.  The chorus consists of just that.  Anna.  But with a song like that, who needs more than one word in a chorus?  Besides, again, Lee's voice is flawless, and the addition of the pedal steel makes that song. 

Well, I hope you've liked my insight into a couple of the records I've been listening to.  I can't listen fast enough, so I assure you I'll be back with more and more reviews.  Enjoy!