The Loomers - Reeling Down A Road

The Loomers - Reeling Down A Road
2010, Sidewinder Publishing

Boston’s The Loomers have been making music for sixteen years now, performing the songs of singer/songwriter/vocalist Jon Svetkey. Over the years, The Loomers have won the Jury Prize at Berklee School Of Music’s Battle Of The Executive Bands, as well as having their music appear on MTV, Dr. Demento, PBS and NBC, and have even served as Ellis Paul’s backing band. Playing a brand of acoustic/electric rock that combines elements of 1960’s rock, 1980’s pop and new folk, wrapped around incessant little melodies that demand you listen. All of this is apparent on The Loomers’ 5th album, Reeling Down A Road.

Reeling Down A Road opens with the energetic rocker "Another Desperate Night". Get your dancing shoes, because the Loomers start out with a number that makes you want to move. "Dust It Off" is sort of a love song for re-capturing lost dreams. You know that instrument in the attic? The one you were going to do big things with? The Loomers admonish you to "Dust It Off", and remind you that it's not too late. It's a great tune in a catchy Americana arrangement. "Not Over You" is an honest song of sorrow; not their best songwriting but it gets major points for being real. The Loomers explore the other side of the coin on "Still Falling", an infectious little tune about a love that gets deeper every day.

Tom Petty fans will love the sound of "Hit The Ground Running", as it sounds like it could have come out of his own recording sessions. It's a very catchy tune with southern rock/Americana flavor. The Loomers get back to the good time, party rock-n-roll with "Breaking Out Tonight", a highly danceable number that's sure to get your feet moving. On "Paul McCartney Got It Right", The Loomers take to task all those disaffected rock-n-rollers who fill their songs with their own angst and inner demons, calling for a little more fun and a little less emotional weight in rock music. Ironic in that the song is full of angst over this. "Pity Party" is the lament of an older rock-n-roller; an amusing anecdote from someone who used to close down bars and now struggles to make it through Leno.

The Loomers' wit returns on "Ready To Rip" with one of the great cheesy opening lines in rock-n-roll, "I'm like a tight pair of trousers I'm ready to rip / That's what Crazy Eddie said to Larry The Lip". Unfortunately the rest of the song doesn't quite live up to the opening. Climbing from unrealized snark to touching emotion, The Loomers launch into "As Long As There's Forever", a love song to a daughter and a son. It's a bit awkward at times lyrically, but the emotional reality of the song more than makes up for it. In "Nobody Goes To The River" we hear a lament of the lack of faith in the world that implies that in these difficult times we need it more than ever. The song has a vague gospel feel, but is not so much a religious observation as a sociological one. The Loomers close with the album's title track. "Reeling Down The Road" is a retrospective about a life lived as a musician, a human being, a band and perhaps even as a couple. There are many layers here, wrapped up in an arrangement that's highly enjoyable and a dynamic closer to an album that seeks to celebrate life rather than dwell on its inconsistencies and heartaches.

The Loomers have a universal appeal that isn't so much commercial as comfortable. The sound on Reeling Down A Road is great for a live show or a night out, but perhaps even better for a sunny afternoon on the back deck with a couple of friends and a couple of cold beers. The songwriting is mature in construction if a bit lyrically primitive at times, but always honest. The Loomers make solid music you'll respect yourself for in the morning.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about The Loomers at http://www.theloomers.com/ or www.myspace.com/theloomers. Reeling Down A Road is available as either a CD or Download from CDBaby. Digital copies are also available through iTunes.

Review: Kim Jennings - My Own True North

Kim Jennings - My Own True North
2009, Birch Beer Records
Kim Jennings is a Boston-based singer/songwriter who immersed herself in the Boston Folk scene a couple of years ago while writing material for her debut album. Jennings has not only been accepted but lauded, with comparisons to Antje Duvekot and Dar Williams. Jennings' debut album, My Own True North was released on December 1, 2009 on the label she started with singer/songwriter Dan Cloutier, Birch Beer Records.

Jennings opens with One More Time, a song about yearning for one last taste of happiness before it’s pulled away. In The Shadows is a lovely tune, piano driven and sounding like a classic singer/songwriter love song. Something odd is occurring with Jennings' voice here; I'd noticed it earlier but it's most readily apparent on In The Shadows. Some sort of computer-based affect sounds as if it’s been applied to the vocal line. Whether its pitch correction or simply a bad reverb effect I don't know, but it detracts from a sweet voice and a sweeter melody. Even on a straight-forward album such as My Own True North over-production can occur. This is a prime example. Often times it’s the imperfections in a voice that make it memorable; when a voice becomes memorable for sounding computerized that's not the best impression to make.

Come Home, a duet, should be a plea full of yearning but lacks real emotional weight. Neither singer sounds invested and the song falls somewhat flat. Leave With Me suffers a similar fate; it's a pretty tune but there's a two-dimensional feel to the song emotionally. Jennings definitely is feeling something, and the sweetness of her voice suggests vulnerability, but it feels false. Jennings is a passive participant in her own creations, which makes it hard as a listener to invest. The Music Box feels more authentic, and sounds like something J.S. Bach might have written. Jennings puts her heart into this one, and you can hear the difference. Jumper And Inside slide back into an almost apathetic feel, and those electronic sounding vocal twinges are again apparent on the latter.

Can Hardly Wait (To See You Again) is heartfelt and full of vulnerability; sung without artifice or false sentimentality. The best songwriting on the album can be found in a track called Hideaway; Jennings mixes subtlety and brave choices with deeply moving lyrics and her sweet, anachronistic voice. The result is a timeless tune that will very likely get picked up and covered by others. Save Me has a gorgeous melody, dressed in sweet vocal harmonies. It's a needful song full of a frail beauty that will make you stop and listen closely. Jennings takes the tiller and heads for home with True North, a Shawn Colvin style guitar ballad about finding your way home.

Kim Jennings reminds me of a young Jewel for her songwriting style and occasionally awkward but sweet tunes. My Own True North has definite highs and lows, but on balance is a solid album that will keep you coming back as a listener. Jennings tends to be a bit too tentative or complacent on the vocal lines at times, but the melodies are often pretty enough that you won't care (as much).

Rating: 3 Stars (Out Of 5)

You can learn more about Kim Jennings at http://www.kimjenningsmusic.com/ or http://www.birchbeerrecords.com/, where you can purchase My Own True North as either a CD or Download.

Review: Renee Mixon - Dance With Me

Renee Mixon – Dance With Me
2008, Renee Mixon

Rome, Georgia’s Renee Mixon signs honest, heart-on-your-sleeve story songs against the backdrop of subdued, Folk/Pop/Americana arrangements. Dance With Me is a remarkably consistent listen, with sound and quality not varying significantly throughout the album. When Mixon is at her best the results can be quite wonderful. Love Me For Me is an honest request for someone’s heart. It’s an amazing song that cuts to the heart of the matter without sounding trite or quaint. Dance With Me sweeps by on a memorable melody and a quiet sense of urgency that can’t be overlooked. Just Go chomps at the bit to break out into a big rock and roller and displays Mixon right on the edge of a different kind of energy than what she expends on the rest of Dance With Me. There are all sorts of wonderful tension and angst built up in this song. It’s released in a controlled fashion that leaves you wondering about where the rest will release. Who’s Right follows that inevitable blow up (although we don’t hear the blow-up). It’s a song about the politics of relationships both within and outside of the duo. Other highlights include In My Dream, I Hope It Was Worth It and You’re Still Here.

Mixon is hard to peg compared to other artists. There are shades of K.D. Lang or Dar Williams, but neither really describes the aura around Mixon. Dance With Me is all heart, lumps and all. The songs aren’t all pretty because they are a reflection of life as Mixon (presumably) sees it; but there’s not a dishonest or false note or word here. Any awkwardness or imperfection is simply the reflection of whatever Mixon saw or thought about at the time. A very strong debut.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Renee Mixon at http://www.reneemixon.com/. You can purchase a copy of Dance With Me at www.cdbaby.com/cd/mixon3.

Review: Tamara Lewis - Living Down River

Tamara Lewis – Living Down River
2008, Tamara Lewis

Seattle’s Tamara Lewis is a singer/songwriter whose writing is informed by twenty years as a psychotherapist as well as her own struggle with a decade-long serious illness. Writing primarily in a folk style with country and blues influences, Lewis opens her heart to listeners with no quarter asked. Supported by Max Cohen (Dar Williams), Pat Donohue (Prairie Home Companion), Murl Sanders and a cast of extremely talented musicians, Lewis delivers ten songs of passionate folk on her second CD, Living Down River. You’ll hear hints of influences such as Alison Krauss, Patsy Cline and Nanci Griffith, but Lewis’ distinctive voice and lyrical style will leave a marked impression on listeners from opening note to last.

Living Down River opens with I’ll Come Home, a song about being able to find and stay in your center even when darkness descends on your life. Lewis’ voice is strong and soothing; the perfect complement to the lyrics when you realize that she’s singing as much to herself as to you. Better Day is a country lullaby for a bad day; full of the vulnerability of someone who has lost control of their life, it is one of the most poignant songs you’re likely to come across. There’s a sad yet hopeful beauty here that is magical. Don’t Look At The Mountain is in a southern gospel style that infuses bluegrass instrumentation. It’s an incredibly enjoyable listen.

That Leavin’ Sound is a class country song of heartbreak sung in intelligent and vibrant terms. Tamara Lewis sings this song as if she’s feeling every wrench of her heart. Try not to be moved. Big City Blues goes to the other end of the spectrum. It’s a smart look at city life and is probably the most fun song on the album. With My Eyes is a special moment. It addresses fidelity and attraction in an honest and bare fashion that is refreshing. Cold Coffee, Warm Beer is a humorous look at how to handle running into an ex-boyfriend written in the spirit/style of Christine Lavin. Key Of Lonely is the keynote song on Living Down River; a gorgeous piano-based ballad about a relationship that doesn’t work despite best intentions by both involved. The album closes out with Living Down River, a haunting song full of home style wisdom and haunting harmonica.

The talent of Tamara Lewis is abundantly clear. In songwriting she is able to drop the filters that we live with every day and just stand alone in her songs. Steeped in an honesty that is almost unsettling, Lewis finds human insights in her songs like a prospector looking for gemstones. The listener is enriched in the process, but one gets the impression that is Lewis who is most healed by her search. Living Down River is a sonically gorgeous album that is smart, occasionally witty and just plain good. Spend an hour with Tamara Lewis. You’ll be happy you did, and you’ll go back again.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Tamara Lewis at http://www.tlewismusic.com/ or www.myspace.com/tamaralewis. You can purchase a copy of Living Down River at www.cdbaby.com/cd/tamaralewis2.

Review: Rebecca Katz - Spendin On Today

Rebecca Katz – Spendin’ On Today
2007, RKatz Music

Boston’s Rebecca Katz is something of an anomaly as a songwriter. Rather than adhering strictly to a folk or pop tradition, Katz has chosen a much more difficult and rewarding path. Harkening back to the age-old troubadour tradition, Katz blends stories, anecdotes and music into a blend of entertainment that is both glorious song craft and something that is greater than the sum of its integral parts. Katz lights up the room as a performer and can draw out the music fan in even the curmudgeonliest of listeners. Her debut album, Spendin’ On Today shows off the songwriter/storyteller side of Katz in phenomenal fashion. You need to hear this.

Rebecca Katz makes you feel at home right from the opening notes of Spendin' On Today. Her warm, rich alto voice is a tonic for all that ails you. Opening with If You See The One, Katz mixes heartfelt angst and humor to convey that sometimes the right person can come along at the wrong time. (If you see the one that I could love / just give him a push in the wrong direction / 'cause I've been waiting so long / I just spent the last of my affection.) The Real Thing is perhaps the perfect wedding song. So many wedding songs get picked because of a chorus or a verse that rings true and often other parts of the song run very much counter to the occasion. The Real Thing is the sort of song you could use as a first dance song without question or pause. It's incredibly well written, heart-felt and touching.

Katz moves on to This Story (The Maid & The Sailor). This Story is an epic story song in the tradition of the great folk troubadours. The acoustic guitar here serves as more of a meter to Katz' story than anything else. Her voice shapes the words as smoothly as a Vegas dealer laying cards on the table. To Donnie is a little more dynamic, reflecting distinct affection for the protagonist. Kiss Me Goodnight is another potential signature song. Katz memorializes in less than four-and-a-half minutes all that is important about a loving relationship. It's almost the anecdote to Sheryl Crow's Strong Enough. Rather than challenging, Katz simply asks for what she needs in one of the sweetest realistic love songs you'll hear in 2008. Spendin' On Today closes with Home Again, an a cappella tune that would work wonderfully well with a gospel choir. It's a great song, but is just a little too bare when done a cappella.

Rebecca Katz comes out of nowhere with what is undeniably one of the best folk albums I've heard this year. If there is any complaint one can make its that at six songs it’s just too short. Spendin' On Today is warm and rich, with a heart-on-the-sleeve tendency that smacks of Nanci Griffith or Dar Williams. Katz' voice is glorious and her delivery is spot-on. Great songs and a primo performance make Spendin' On Today a must have. It's a Wildy's World Certified Desert Island Disc. You don't want to let this one get by you.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Rebecca Katz at http://www.rkatztunes.com/, where you can purchase a copy of Spendin’ On Today.