Original Cast Recording - Ordinary Days by Adam Gwon

Original Cast Recording - Ordinary Days
2010, Sh-K-Boom Records/Ghostlight Records

When The Roundabout Theater Company opened Ordinary Days for its Off Broadway debut in the Fall of 2009 the reaction was immediate. Rave reviews and word-of-mouth seemed to confirm the prescience of The Dramatist Magazine in naming composer Adam Gwon one of the "50 to Watch" in Theater. The 2008 Fred Ebb Award winner for excellent in musical theater songwriting has opened eyes and ears with a modern musical theater writing style that maintains the classic elements and feel of Broadway. Ordinary Days so impressed Rodgers & Hammerstein Theatricals that they purchased the performance rights to the show. On September 21, 2010 Ghostlight Records released the original cast recording of Ordinary Days, featuring Lisa Brescia (Claire), Hunter Foster (Jason), Jared Gertner (Warren) and Kate Wetherhead (Deb).

Listening to Ordinary Days you'd swear that Adam Gwon was raised on a healthy diet of John Robert Brown and William Finn, as the show sounds like it could be a collaboration between the two. Ordinary Days explores the lives of four young adults living in New York City as they navigate the difficulties of life, love and the ever shifting platforms of life expectations and reality. Ordinary Days opens with "One By One By One", setting the mark for idealism as Warren's idealism about his job quickly turns to frustration and then resolution about where he wants to be. Deb is introduced in "Don't Wanna Be Here" as someone who is never happy where she lands.

Jason takes the leap of faith in moving in with Claire in "The Space Between", while "Let Things Go" explores Claire's inflexibility as highlighted by the process of beginning to share her space with Jason. Meanwhile Deb's life is falling apart; the notes for her dissertation are lost, and she must beg for an extension in "Dear Professor Thompson (Part 1)" and later for an exception in Part 2. "Life Story" breaks up the two pleas with rumination on lost mementos and the loss these memories represent to those without them. It's a surprisingly apt perspective; the sort of song that's likely to be performed outside the bounds of the show.

"I'm Trying" represents a relationship in trouble, as the participants look outside of themselves to make things better. In this case the focus is a list of ten things to do before you leave New York. This works for a while but works in many ways to expose their differences more than bring them together. The four cross paths at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Jason is trying to relight the fire with Claire, while Warren, who has found Deb's dissertation notes, invites her to meet him at the Met to return them. Warren wants to get to know Deb, as he's enthralled with the passion and fire he sees in her notes. Deb initially rejects the concept, but Warren's perspective on Monet opens her eyes to the type of person he is.

Meanwhile Jason and Claire are beginning to see where their paths diverge. Jason ruminates over his "Favorite Places" and the one he's never been (Claire's Heart). The song is a brilliant moment, and Hunter Foster places it perfectly. "Sort-Of Fairytale" is first hint of catalyst for change for Deb; coffee at Starbucks with Warren. Deb is quick to judge Warren for his lack of a grand life plan, only soon to realize that her plans are full of holes ("Big Picture"). "Fine" finds Jason and Claire walking together in the rain on the way to a family event. It's the falling out you've known was coming all along, with Jason proposing as a close to the fight. Claire "accepts" before she realizes what he's said, and then runs off leaving him standing in the rain.

"Hundred-Story City" finds the relationship between Jason and Claire pushed to the brink due to Claire's inability to find happiness. This idea is presented as an archetype for dreams in a city that can run roughshod over the best of intentions. "Calm" finds Deb losing it in a meeting with a professor and running blindly into the Penn Station and on a train for New Jersey. Getting off at a random stop she puts down a deposit on a house because it's calm but quickly realizes it's so calm it will drive her mad. This becomes the beginning of a realization that running won't solve her problems, although this doesn't fully materialize for a bit. "Life Story (Reprise)" revisits Warren as he is losing faith in his plans but is given a sudden lift as Deb calls. "Gotta Get Out" is a random taxi ride, a flight of fancy that leads to perspective. It's a grab for control that leads Claire to realize she has control over her life and doesn't need to keep fighting for it.

"Rooftop Duet/Falling" finds perspective for Warren and Deb, with both realizing, in effect, that by letting go of their dreams they will be realized. This is accomplished in the imagery of a fall of paper from far above the city. This event flows downstream and affects Claire and Jason. She finally opens up to Jason about a love lost and how she is finally ready to move on. It's an amazing tune and has that air of magic that marks a great musical moment and flows into a promise for the future ("I'll Be Here"). Ordinary Days closes with the rather enjoyable "Beautiful", a sort of musical moral. The only problem here is that the moral has been so well drawn in the lines of the musical itself that the song feels redundant at best; a cynical bit of preaching at worst. It's as if Gwon either hasn't trusted what's come before to convey this message, or doesn't trust the audience to get it. Either way, it's a pretty afterthought that's unnecessary.

Aside from one minor misstep, Adam Gwon proves himself to be the real deal with Ordinary Days. The Original Cast Recording is exquisitely cast and has a magical flow. What's more, you can listen to the soundtrack and actually have a clear idea of the story. From a songwriting perspective there's not much more you can ask from a Broadway score. Ordinary Days is a great introduction to Adam Gwon, and seems a likely harbinger of amazing work to come. Don't miss out on the original cast recording of Ordinary Days. If you've lived in New York City, or if you've even been in a relationship then you'll likely see some of yourself or the ones you love(d) in Ordinary Days. That's the primal element of its appeal, and the essential character of Adam Gwon’s songwriting that speaks to theater fans of all ages.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Adam Gwon at http://www.adamgwon.com/ or www.myspace.com/adamgwon.  Learn more about Ordinary Days at Sh-K-Boom Records, where you can purchase the cast recording on CD.  Ordinary Days is also available on CD from Ordinary Days, and digitally from iTunes.

Review: RainPace - Easy Labor

RainPace - Easy Labor
2009, RainPace

RainPace is a Los Angeles based collective of actors, singers, comedians and all-around musicians. Two-thirds of the musical/comedy act Changing Lanes (Kerry Phillips and Valerie Tullous) are here, as well Robert Briscoe Evans, Mike Hunter and Michael Salas. Phillips was a writer for Showtime’s Deep Fried TV and has starred with Peter Billingsley (Messy Marvin, A Christmas Story) in Who’s Watching Me. Tullous is an Award-winning stage actress and a pretty mean singer (check out the part in her bio about homicidal ideation). Robert Brisco “Good Friend Bob” Evans is a major stage actor in Los Angeles, and has had a host of small to mid-size roles on TV and in movies (What Women Want, Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, Who’s The Boss, Caroline In The City, Ally McBeal). Mike Hunter is a longtime session player for A&M Records and was a childhood actor and model who spent two years touring the country with a mysterious and unnamed punk band (we dug but couldn’t find out whom). Michael Salas has played with numerous bands including Grupo America, The Tri Angels, 818 and The Pirates. As RainPace, the group is ready to release their latest storm of creation, known as Easy Labor.

Easy Labor opens with With Your Permission, a quirky folk duet that quickly grows into an ensemble vocal piece with a wicked sense of humor. The musicianship and vocals here are flawless with a down-home Country/Americana flavor that can't miss. Mood Wonderful Mood sounds like The Manhattan Transfer singing material from A William Finn musical. The song is incredibly lyrically dense; you almost need to stop the disc from time to time just to keep up with all the thoughts and ideas thrown your way. It's a great listen. Easy Labor is a melodic morality tale told ala Greek Chorus about taking the path of least resistance. I D'Wanna Do It is an amusing song about life's greatest ambition for someone who's done it all.

Oliver Thom renews the William Finn comparison, a biograph in song for a songwriter who never grew into his outlook. It's a charming tune with harmonies that are to die for. Sittin' Around sounds like an alternative take on I D'Wanna Do and is probably a great euphemism for the "this is your brain on drugs" commercials from the 1990's. Easy Labor closes with At The Big Table, a song about coming home and family with all the quirks and dysfunction that grease the wheels of love. There's a Crosby Stills & Nash feel to the harmonies on this one, and the arrangement is solid Americana. This is perhaps the best song on the disc; I wouldn't be surprised to find this one licensed for films or even better, I wouldn't be surprised to hear this as part of a stage show.

RainPace match musicianship, harmonies, songwriting and humor in an explosive package of songs that you simply can't ignore. There's a high dramatic sense to the music on Easy Labor; imagine if Shakespeare were still writing his farces in today's vernacular and had a penchant for folksy music. This is the sort of stuff he might come up with. Easy Labor is going to be a bit hokey to some readers, but it mixes elements of classic old-style family entertainment with strong songwriting and musicianship. You can't go wrong with an album like this.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about RainPace at http://www.rainpace.com/. You can purchase a copy of Easy Labor at CDBaby.com.

Review: Desmond Drive - I Called I

Desmond Drive – I Called I
2008, Desmond Drive
Desmond Drive is an Atlanta band with a big sound. Practicing the fine art of melody-driven rock in the vein of The Beatles or XTC, Desmond Drive literally turns heads when they start to play. Vocalist/keyboardist Bill Shaouy was raised on great melodic pop and managed to internalize that sensibility. It comes through in droves on Desmond Drive’s debut album, I Called I. With the help of Chuck Kelly (drums, percussion); Steve Platnick (Bass), and Rob Gal (guitarist and Producer), Shaouy offers up some of the sweetest pop confections you’re likely to hear.

Desmond Drive travels the highways and byways of big melodies and strong pop themes. The fact that these are applied to a distinct Americana style makes for a highly listenable and universal album that eludes distinct classification while constantly breaking new ground. I Called I opens with Two-Headed Beast, classic Americana in the image of Canadian trailblazers Blue Rodeo. Vocalist Bill Shaouy has a heavenly voice that's as smooth as anything and twice as pleasant. Desmond Drive nearly reinvents themselves on Poker Face, with a strong Roy Orbison thing going on. This is pure 1960's pop music; a love song with a slight country twang and big harmonies. Desmond Drive changes gears again on Isn't It A Wonder, a Beatles-esque pop ditty that's bizarrely beautiful in the most esoteric sense.

If you've ever spent much time on the folk scene in Upstate New York you may have come across a band called The Foothills Trio. I mention them because Desmond Drive's next song, Goodbye, sounds like The Foothills Trio sat down to jam with the Traveling Wilburies. The song carries tremendous harmonies and outstanding guitar work. Your Name is a sweet pop song that will popular for mix-tapes but is somewhat complacent, missing some of the energy encountered thus far on I Called I.

Simple Things, however, is probably the highlight of the album. Shaouy sounds inspired on this gem, which is as varied and complex as pop music gets. Simple Things has an almost Shakespearean quality about it; it's snappy with great hooks and a tremendous sense of movement. Leader finds Desmond Drive in the midst of 180-degree turn. It's an introspective and almost brutally honest self-assessment. It's a beautiful song with something of a John Lennon feel to it. My Will is the most straight forward pop/rock song on the album. It stands out the more so for seeming slightly out of place here. The song runs like a nervous child through the verse but finds purpose in the well-crafted and melodic chorus.

Happy Tollbooth Guy sounds like something that might show up in an Off-Broadway show. It's a bit campy and upbeat and showcases a vaguely theatrical style that runs just below the surface of much of Desmond Drive's music. Stylistically it sounds like Billy Joel and William Finn sat down at the same piano together. My Tribe is a great upbeat pop tune that could cross over as a dance hit, ala Fatboy Slim. My Tribe is the track with the greatest commercial potential, and honestly could be a dance hit with a remix by the right DJ. I Called I closes on a theatrical note, with the spiritually heavy One Night. Desmond Drive really gets down to their roots on these dramatic piano-driven tunes.

Desmond Drive is all over the musical map on I Called I. While this is not a key to commercial success in this day and age, it has always been a formula for classic, memorable, sometimes even iconic albums. I don't know if I'm willing to quite call I Called I iconic, but it's in the ballpark. The melodic sense here is stunning, and the composition style is unique and varied enough to make a distinct statement. Desmond Drive is lyrically competent and unafraid to take musical chances. Fans of folks like The Beatles, The Moody Blues and Dennis DeYoung-era Styx will love this. Fans of melodic pop rock and musicians in general will also find I Called I very gratifying. I Called I is a Wildy's World Certified Desert Island Disc, and definitely something you want on your to-do list.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Desmond Drive at http://www.desmonddrive.com/. You can purchase a copy of I Called I at www.cdbaby.com/cd/desmonddrive.