Spin Doctors - If The River Was Whiskey

Spin Doctors – If The River Was Whiskey
2013, Ruf Records

The Spin Doctors cut their teeth with an infectious mix of pop, rock and blues; the quintessential American bar band made good.  Hits such as “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” define the band for many music fans, but there is a distinct musicality that runs much deeper.  That’s why it’s not surprising that the Spin Doctors’ latest effort, If The River Was Whiskey (due April 30, 2013), makes changing genres look (and sound) effortless and easy.

If you’ve ever listened to the Spin Doctors beyond the songs that took radio by storm in the early 1990’s, you would have suspected deep influences from old school blues and R&B.  Such influences are brashly confirmed on If The River Was Whiskey, a rollicking and raw blues record whose time has come.  Sparse, open arrangements and a live sound keep this record vital.  The Spin Doctors take this record wherever the muse leads them, kicking off with a Beatles-influenced blues rocker in “Some Other Man Instead”.  This will get your feet moving.  Chris Barron and the gang keep things moving with “If The River Was Whiskey”.    The band hollows out the sound for the low-key blues of “Sweetest Potion”.  The sparse arrangement and live gig sound create a moment here for the listener.

“Traction Blues” is an entertaining little sidebar that blurs the line between emotional and physical impacts of a relationship.  This one is all blame game, but done tongue-in-cheek.  The best guitar work on the album is reserved for “Scotch and Water Blues”, which has an elemental feel and rubs up against the feet of traditional blues.  The Spin Doctors settle into a comfortable groove for a few songs, churning out solid numbers such as “About A Train”, “The Drop”, “Ben’s Looking Out The Window Blues”, and the classic R&B sound of “So Bad”.  The band then kicks it over into the vibrant closer “What My Love”, which is imbued with the same swaggering energy that used to define George Thorogood’s works. 

If The River Was Whiskey isn’t a case of old dog, new tricks.  Rather, the Spin Doctors get back to the type of blues that was the pre-cursor to rock and roll.  Everyone contributes.  Eric Schenkman lays down some of the finest guitar work of his career, while Mark White and Aaron Comess keep the whole thing on track like a living heartbeat.  Vocalist Chris Barron does his part as well, singing with a passion and panache that scream “front man”.  Things do slow down a bit on the second half of the album, but the Spin Doctors prove that they are still a vital part of the popular music scene by following the very roots of rock and roll back to where they lead.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more at www.spindoctors.com. 

Review: Alan Semerdjian - The Big Beauty

Alan Semerdjian - The Big Beauty
2009, Alan Arts Music

Alan Semerdjian has created a circle with his music where life feeds art and art feeds life. As the front man for New York City band Surreal for most of the 1990’s, Semerdjian toured the East Coast of the United State many times over, sharing the stage with a who’s who of bands and artists and writing music that still gets used periodically for television and movies. These days, Semerdjian is on his own, playing a quirky brand of Alt-Pop mixed with Americana. And I wouldn’t say he’s entirely on his own, as Semerdjian collaborates with an impressive list of friends (including Jen Chapin, Daniel Carter, Nick Gianni and Chris Barron (Spin Doctors)). Semerdjian’s latest release, The Big Beauty, encompasses all of the melodic and lyric charms fans have become accustomed to in a slightly more refined package. The Big Beauty is produced by Rilo Kiley's Michael Bloom, and features Franz Nicholay (Hold Steady), Chris Kuffner (Ingrid Michaelson, Regina Spektor), Dave Diamond (Zen Trickers) and Philip A. Jimenez (Wheatus) among others.

The Big Beauty opens with Your Love, a distinctive melody wrapped in gorgeous harmonies and an Americana-Pop arrangement you won't be able to get out of your brain. This leads into I Can't Tell You How; strong active Americana-Rock that reminds me of what you might hear if Ron Hawkins were ever to jam with the likes of Blue Rodeo. Semerdjian has a couple of WOW moments on The Big Beauty, and the first one arrives three songs in. Bad Dreams is an amazing take on loving someone who is perhaps not emotionally stable. Lyrically, musically and vocally this song is flawless. You Can Run finds Semerdjian taking a Chris Isaak turn with a beautiful yet melancholy tale.

Hole In Your Home is highly textured in arrangement and equally emotive. The two distinctly percussive natures (one literal, the other emotional) come together to create a powerful moment in song. The sometimes shadowing and sometimes juxtaposed natures of these two rhythms seem to echo relationships as the members fall in and out of sync repeatedly over time. Semerdjian rips off the roof on Everything (She's Still The Best). Fans of early Skydiggers/Cash Brothers will listen to this with distinct joy. Semerdjian dishes out a bit of sleight of hand here, opening with a prologue that speaks to his Armenian heritage before slowly transitioning into a driving folk/country arrangement that won't allow you to sit still. Stephanie is a love song that takes a disastrous turn. Keep your game face on, as the lyrics will get a smile out of your before they're done.

Melody combines elements of Jazz, Funk and Blues in a tune that is alternately pensive and busy (perhaps at times too much so). This is a great listen, but does border on becoming too muddy at moments. When There Was Something Wrong With You is the other real WOW moment on The Big Beauty. Semerdjian has crafted an arrangement you won't want to end. This is true ear candy. AM Radio changes pace with a full, multi-layered sound wrapped around an unforgettable melody that's very much down tempo.

Alan Semerdjian has one of those voices you could listen to all day. Take care you don't get so into his voice that you miss on out on the wonderful musicianship, distinctive lyrical style and songwriting that comprise The Big Beauty. Alan Semerdjian has been a critical favorite for a long time, and carries a lot of respect from fellow musicians, but its baffling how he hasn't broken through into the social conscience of a music scene crying for talent like this. The Big Beauty is required listening from an essentially talent. Make sure you spend some time with Alan Semerdjian soon.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Alan Semerdjian at http://www.alanarts.com/, http://www.alansemerdjian.com/ or www.myspace.com/semerdjian. The Big Beauty hits the street on September 1, 2009. You can purchase a copy of The Big Beauty at www.cdbaby.com/cd/semerdjian2, or you can download the album from iTunes.