Cody Gamracy - Where Is The Ground?

Cody Gamracy – Where Is The Ground?
2012, Soccer Mom Records

Cody Gamracy makes the most of his talents on his debut album Where Is The Ground?  Staying within his vocal limits, Gamracy works out eight original tunes in solid workman-like style.  “All The Wrong Reasons” builds on a relentless folk-rock groove, resolving into a melodically sweet chorus that is ably delivered.  Gamracy shows some real talent as a songwriter on “Sock Puppets”, pairing an imaginative and energetic arrangement with a memorable melody.  Gamracy isn’t afraid to take chances, stretching his voice to its limits.

Settling into singer/songwriter mode, Gamracy launches into the quietly impressive “Giving Yourself Away”.  His voice struggles with the slow delivery, but the effect is more emotive than anything else.  Gamracy approaches brilliance on “Two Kinds”, with gorgeous vocal harmonies wrapped around a melody that simply won’t leave you alone.  The rock-a-bye feel makes this a comfortable number to slip into; a great listen.  “Whatever It Was” maintains Gamracy’s adept vocal harmony constructions, but is a bit disjointed compositionally.  The experimental approach is a bit shaky at times, but does achieve some nice moments in the process.  Where Is The Ground? wraps with “Out On Ring Road”, a messy bit of ethereal rock.  Gamracy’s exploration might lose you as he floats off into the air, but shows an interesting range and willingness to explore that will keep listeners curious enough to stay with him.

Cody Gamracy perhaps leaves more questions than answers on Where Is The Ground?  Stylistically diffuse, the album finds Gamracy searching his muse for a sound that he loves.  There really aren’t any conclusions here, but the avenues he follows are intriguing, as Gamracy covers an expanse not often found outside the circle of Pink Floyd-influences bands.  Where Is The Ground? is an intriguing start, and makes it likely that listeners will keep following Cody Gamracy to see what he might dream up next.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Cody Gamracy from Soccer Mom Records or on Facebook.

Dan Silljer - Foolish Heart

 

Dan Silljer – Foolish Heart
2012, Soccer Mom Records

Dan Silljer gets funky on his debut solo album Foolish Heart, blending 1970’s soul, R&B and funk with a distinctive ear for melody.  In the process the member of Jason Plumb’s band The Willing creates a collection of highly listenable original tunes.  Silljer’s voice is smooth and soulful throughout, transitioning adeptly back and forth between soul /funk influenced rock and roll and his singer/songwriter roots. 

“All But Over You” is AM pop radio gold, circa 1981, and shows a distinct talent for lyrics in addition to composition.  Silljer displays a classic pop touch on “Foolish Heart”, swinging the beat in a gentle ballad that maintains high energy while keeping its cool.  Tower of Power style horns come to life on the guitar-driven “Unfaithful You”, accented by some Stanley Jordan-esque guitar work.  Silljer slows things down for the soulful and swanky “One More Dawn” before launching into the elemental funk and roll of “Them Changes”.  This is easily the most danceable track on the album – you simply won’t be able to sit still.

“Sanctuary” settles into a solid groove, while “Strange Relationship” marks a funky, classic-rock sound circa 1975.  The blues roots of this number show through, and Silljer digs into the vocal line with gusto – laying everything on the line.  Things get smooth on “Cradle To The Grave” a solid old school pop number that’s pure Billboard material.  Silljer then takes on Marvin Gaye’s “How Long”.  It’s always a risk when an artist takes on an iconic song from an iconic artist, but Silljer succeeds with a funky/smooth sound that’s classic and fresh at the same time.  “’Til I’m Gone” mixes soul and Americana (or Canadiana, if you will) in a down-tempo number that’s melodically pure and steeped in the blues.  This is a great piece of songwriting and is delivered with a quiet sense of urgency that is pleasantly surprising.  Foolish Heart bows on a quiet note: just Silljer and guitar on “Fall Apart”.  While the album is high quality throughout this is Silljer’s finest moment: showing he has the musicianship, voice and charisma to hold a listener’s attention without any frills added.

Dan Silljer may spend a lot of time in the background as a member of Jason Plumb And The Willing, but he is a first class front man in his own right.  This fact becomes more and more apparent he wends his way through Foolish Heart.  Dan Silljer shows off his many musical facets with quiet confidence and just a touch of flair.  Foolish Heart is an album you simply don’t want to miss.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Dan Silljer at Soccer Mom Records or on Facebook.

Jason Plumb and the Willing - All Is More Than Both

Jason Plumb and the Willing – All Is More Than Both
2012, Soccer Mom Records

Saskatchewan-based singer/songwriter Jason Plumb got his start in the early 1990’s as the front man for The Waltons.  Touring with Barenaked Ladies early in their career, The Waltons became a fan favorite across Canada and parts of the Northeast U.S, largely on the strength of Plumb’s songwriting and his voice.  The band waned with the 1990’s, and Plumb has gone on to become one of the most respect Indie songwriters in Canada.  Both as a solo artist and with his band The Willing, Plumb historically brings a quiet intensity and subtle melancholy to his songwriting that is compelling.  Plumb turns a corner on his latest album, All Is More Than Both, his third turn with The Willing.  With Canadian super-producer Michal Phillip Wojewoda at the helm, Plumb finds the anger and the joy embedded in his melancholy and lets it rip on what is his most vibrant album to date.

Recapturing a sonic vigor not seen since his earliest work with The Waltons, Plumb begins a full-on aural assault with “First Time”, a wondrous blend of 1980’s rock and Americana that recalls the glory days of a teenager and first love.  This is easily the most commercial single Plumb has produced in some time, but he does so without giving up a bit of quality in his songwriting.  The chorus is infectious and will inhabit your head for days; you won’t be able to help yourself from dancing and singing along.  “Losin’” has a much darker and heavier feel.  Co-written with Ed Robertson of Barenaked Ladies (who also contributes vocals here), there is a palpable anger to the song that may surprise longtime fans.

“What You Leave” is quite another matter altogether, a wonderfully melodic take on growing up, aging gracefully and coming to terms with what is important in life.  Former Barenaked Lady Steven Page lends his golden pipes in support of the most aurally appealing track on the album.  “Alone With You” is a catchy, mid-tempo anti-love song with a chorus that sounds like it belongs on 1970’s classic rock radio (Eagles, anyone?)  Plumb’s brilliance shines here in simple things, and you’ll find it hard to get this song out of your head.

Jason Plumb returns to gentle, melodic melancholy on “Hold On”, a gorgeous rumination on not being taken in again by love.  The vocals here are sublime, and Plumb builds the song in small measures to a chorus you simple cannot shake.  Listen for vocal support from Alexa Dirks, whose voice could light up a room.  “All By Myself” finds Jason Plumb and the Willing muscling up for a buoyant mid-tempo rocker full of the sort of hooks that make radio programmers drool.  Don’t be surprised if this song finds its way to the airwaves as we move into the summer months.

“On A Chain” blends pop and Americana in a brilliant reflection on not being able to break away from an old love.  The chorus is full of gorgeous vocal harmonies spread out around an edgy melody line; the contrast is appealing, and the mix of voices is pure magic.  Plumbs dips into romantic territory with “Falling Star”, which sounds as if it might have been left over from his Beauty In This World sessions.  It would, in fact, be surprising if this were a leftover, as the song is Plumb at his finest blend of poetry and melody.  It’s a beauty, and builds into a symphonic sounding chorus that leaves an impression on the listener.

"Under A Gun” finds Plumb sticking with his more lyric side, crafting a subtly beautiful melody line drenched in an ethereal, country-tinged arrangement that wraps you u and rocks you gently in its arms.  “Sweet Misery” starts with the simplest of piano lines and builds into an ode to the mix of suffering and joy that so often makes up love.  The twist here is that Plumb is looking back at someone from the past and realizing how good it was even if he couldn’t see it at the time.  Plumb reasserts his status as one of the finest working songwriters of his day right here.  You’ll have this song on continuous repeat.  Jason Plumb and the Willing close things out on a pragmatic note with the incredibly upbeat country/rock of “Naturally (Ain’t Up To Me)”. The chorus will invade your brain and refuse to leave as Plumb waxes poetic on a newfound acceptance of our ultimate place in life.

I’ll step outside the role of reviewer for a moment and offer a disclaimer: I have been a Jason Plumb fan for years.  I saw him with the Waltons back in the day when they opened for Barenaked Ladies in Ontario and small clubs in Buffalo.  I have followed his career as he has branched out; first on his own and later, with Jason Plumb and The Willing.  It’s not surprising that a fan is going to like the work of one of his favorite artists.  (Reviewer hat back on.)  What is surprising, however, is when a well-established songwriter who is respected by his peers remakes himself and raises the bar twenty-five years into a successful career.  Some credit has to be given to Michael Phillip Wojewoda for overseeing the same sort of transformation he has wrought with acts such as Barenaked Ladies, The Rheostatics, Spirit of the West and Ashley MacIsaac.  But the bulk of the credit goes to Jason Plumb and the Willing.  All Is More Than Both is brilliant from first note to last.  This is Prairie Music Award worthy, Juno Award worthy, and yes, GRAMMY Award worthy.  It’s also one of the easiest selections ever as a Wildy’s World Certified Desert Island Disc.

Rating:  5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Jason Plumb at www.jasonplumb.com or www.myspace.com/jasonplumbandthewilling.  All Is More Than Both is a Canadian release.  If you need a CD, you'll have to go MapleMusic.  Digital versions are available from the e-tailers below.

     iTunes

Please note that the Amazon.com prices listed above are as of the posting date, and may have changed. Wildy's World is not responsible for price changes instituted by Amazon.com.

Jason Plumb & The Willing - Alive And Willing

Jason Plumb & The Willing - Alive & Willing
2011, Soccermom Records

Jason Plumb rose to prominence as songwriter and lead vocalist of Saskatchewan folk-rockers The Waltons in the early 1990's, touring with bands such as Barenaked Ladies and Junkhouse.  Darlings of the Toronto indie rock scene fueled by the then vibrant radio station CFNY, The Waltons enjoyed considerable success across Canada but never quite caught on in the US.  The Waltons were essentially done by the turn of the millennium, but Jason Plumb continued to write songs and has built a successful and highly respected body of work both on his own and with The Willing.  Early this year, Jason Plumb & The Willing released a DVD set entitled Alive & Willing, memorializing a show recorded live in Plumb's hometown of Regina, Saskatchewan, and featuring the Broken Heart Strings, an offshoot of the Regina Symphony Orchestra.

Alive & Willing finds Plumb culling material from across his career in a dynamic live set that aptly shows off his brilliance as a lyricist, composer and performer.  Relying heavily on material from his album Beauty In This World, the show also features songs from Under And Over and some highlights from his career with The Waltons.  The main concert is a real treat, but the big surprise is something called The Neighborhood Dog Episode, a bonus movie featuring a series of home concert performances and anecdotes.  The set also includes a live CD covering most of the audio from the main concert.  Highlights include “Beauty In This World”, “Drive”, “Protest Song/Colder Than You”, “The Water Well & The Farmer’s Hand”  and “Lolita”.  The latter is only on the DVD and not on the companion audio CD. 

The video and audio quality throughout the set is superb.  Jason Plumb & The Willing are everything you could ask for musically.  Plumb sings from the heart; without affectation, and his songs as accessible and timeless.  Alive & Willing is a don’t miss release.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Jason Plumb & The Willing at http://www.jasonplumb.com/ or www.myspace.com/jasonplumbandthewilling.  Alive And Willing is a limited edition release, and is available from MapleMusic.com.

The Wildy's World Top-40 of 2009: #5 Jason Plumb - Wide Open Music

5 Jason Plumb - Wide Open Music (Songs For Saskatchewan)

Jason Plumb's provincial Wide Open Music features songs about or inspired by Saskatchewan, Canada. You might think such a geographically focused album would have limited appeal, but Plumb is such a great songwriter that even the most obtuse listeners will fall in love with the Canadian Prairies. Wide Open Music features songs from Plumb's Waltons and solo days as well as a few tracks that haven't appeared on CD before, all reinterpreted masterfully by Plumb and The Willing. This is one of those albums that will surprise you; suck you in and take you along for a pleasant ride you never expected.

Plumb himself is considered in some circles to be one of the best songwriters of his generation in Canada. Some might even argue that he deserves to be included in any such conversation irrespective of country. It's not often that an album comprised primarily of previously released material might rate so highly on a year-end list, but Wide Open Music is special, indeed.

Review: Jason Plumb And The Willing - Wide Open Music: Songs For Saskatchewan

Jason Plumb And The Willing – Wide Open Music: Songs For Saskatchewan

2009, Soccer Mom Records

I have referenced Jason Plumb many times over in this blog, reviewing his previous album, Beauty In This World. I have also seen him in concert a handful of times over the years with his first band, The Waltons. The Regina, Saskatchewan-based singer/songwriter is a national treasure for Canada. He is perhaps one of the most talented songwriters of his generation, creating a body of work that draws equally on his love of classic Country music, British Pop and melancholy forms. Plumb has composed for television (Friends) and movies (Borderline Normal, Remembering Tom, Naked In New York) and has even taken over the production boards for artists such as Heidi Little and Nicol Lischka, but it is writing and performing that continues to drive him 20 years into what’s become a magnificent career in music. On June 9, 2009, Jason Plumb And The Willing released Wide Open Music: Songs For Saskatchewan in Canada (likely US release date in September, 2009). The album is a re-working of classic songs from Plumb’s catalog both as a solo artist and with The Waltons, as well as two newer songs. If you aren’t in the know when it comes to Jason Plumb, now is the time.

Wide Open Music opens with Empire On The Plains, a moderate rocker that features Plumb’s angelic voice and the sense of melancholy and longing that seems to pervade his music. Written about the need to touch base in a place that’s home from time-to-time, the song stands as one that anyone who’s ever spent any time on the road can relate to. Drive is a recent addition in Plumb’s catalog, coming from 2007’s Beauty In This World. This particular version was recorded live and shows the fine blend of Brit Pop and Country that has become something of a trademark for Plumb. Wascana originally appeared on The Walton’s Cocks Crow album, and gets the royal treatment here with gorgeous yet subtle harmonies from The Willing, and a more open vocal line that really shows off Plumb’s pipes.

Wide Open is from Jason Plumb’s Under & Over album and is a paean to life on the Canadian Prairie. The lyric imagery in this song is as beautiful as the melody Plumb wraps it in, and the arrangement reflects the urgency to get back to the place he calls home. The Waterwell And The Farmer’s Hand is perhaps the first song that hooked me on Plumb as a songwriter; taken from The Walton’s debut album, Lik My Trakter, Waterwell is about the ties to family and home that bind many of us. Written over 17 years ago in response to the death of his grandfather, it was at the time an incredibly poignant and atypically deep song for a songwriter as young as Plumb was at the time. I remember listening to this song at a show where The Waltons were opening for the Barenaked Ladies and being absolutely blown away. Nearly twenty years on this is still one of the finest pop songs I’ve ever heard, and the arrangement offered here is fuller and richer than the original.

Take My Breath opens with a brief vocal harmony interval that sounds like it should have been written by Brian Wilson before opening into a gorgeous melody line ensconced in a simple yet engaging pop arrangement. This song was written as a commission for Saskatchewan tourism and is absolutely inspired. Heartless originally appeared on Cock’s Crow, and is presented with a bit of a country swing here. The song is a bit too subtle and reserved to really get you dancing, but the temptation will be there nonetheless. The vocal harmonies in the break are amazing, and as they fall away Plumb gets a few lines where it’s essentially just his voice. Wow.

Middle Of Nowhere has long been one of my favorite songs from The Waltons (Empire Hotel). The song explores that mix of adolescent contempt for the place we grew up with the sentimental love that develops over time as we mature and return to our roots. Saskatoon Pie (Empire Hotel) uses a favorite desert (known as Serviceberry Pie is the United States) of Saskatchewan as a symbol for finding sweetness in life, and could easily be mistaken as a love song. Paint The World Green is a song Plumb wrote as a theme song for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. It’s unusually poppy and pretty for a football team song and could easily cross over as a theme for “green” causes as well. The album closes out with a bluegrass version of Wide Open that is entirely fitting and, if possible, even better than the original.

Jason Plumb is the consummate artist, a singer-songwriter whose list of peers could be written on a small Post-It note in large, scrawling script. His ability to get at the heart of anything he writes about is surreal. There is no one in popular music these days quite like him. The song Middle Of Nowhere, as much as any other here proves a universal point about Wide Open Music; These songs were written about or inspired by Saskatchewan, and are specific in detail, but the songs are about home. Anyone with a love for the place they started out (particularly if you’ve left it behind over time) will find a deep connection to this album. The arrangements are incredible, and The Willing provide the backbone and flesh for Plumb’s songs with amazingly tight musicianship. Wide Open Music: Songs For Saskatchewan is destined to be one of the top releases of 2009, and likely to get a lot of buzz when it comes time for Canada’s Juno Award nominations (not to mention the Western Canadian Music Awards). Don’t let the title fool you; you don’t need to be from Saskatchewan to connect with this CD. Wide Open Music is a Wildy’s World Certified Desert Island Disc. Miss this one and you’re really missing out.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Jason Plumb And The Willing at http://www.jasonplumb.com/ or on MySpace. You can purchase a copy of Wide Open Music: Songs For Saskatchewan from Maple Music.com.

Glenn Yoder - Okono Road
2008, Glenn Yoder

Originally from Dallas, Texas, Boston-based Glenn Yoder carries his influences with him like memories. They infuse his musical choices as seamlessly as breathing. The singer/guitarist of Boston's Cassavettes heads out on his own with the release of Okono Road. Trimming a list of fifty songs down to twelve, Yoder leads with his best foot on his solo debut, mixing radio anthems with ballads and some old fashioned Rock N Roll in a highly commercial yet likable debut.

Yoder opens with the radio-friendly anthem Broken, Beaten & Blue. It's an incredibly tuneful song that fits neatly into several demographics. Yoder's voice is pleasant and easy on the ears, and the arrangement is as smooth as silk. That polished feel carries over to Okono Road in a very accessible acoustic pop tune. A Thousand Ways looks to be a mix-tape favorite, mixing balladry and soul in a moving performance. Til The Wheels Fall Off is a great acoustic pop tune, very likely to end up in licensing or on the radio if offered in those venues.

Just Like is the best pure pop song on the record and likely to be a crowd favorite at shows. It's Gonna Take Time is a very close second. Yoder reminds me very much of Canada's The Waltons on several songs, but nowhere more so than on It's Gonna Take Time. Other songs of note are Home, Give Me A Moment and You Led Me Into Your Love.

Glenn Yoder infuses pop-savvy acoustic rock with elements of country and soul to full effect on Okono Road. At times he sounds a great deal like Jason Plumb of The Waltons (I consider this a supreme compliment). Yoder is a very polished songwriter who will appeal heavily to several demographics, and is probably one of the more likely artists to end up with songs licensed for prime time shows you'll come across. Okono Road is a smooth and accessible recording with significant commercial legs.

Rating 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Glenn Yoder at www.myspace.com/glennyoder. No information was received on availability, so please keep checking back to Yoder’s MySpace page for more information.

The Wildy's World Top-40 of 2008: #2

The two best albums of the year, as reviewed by Wildy's World, are upon us. It's been a long trip (and a lot of reviews) to get here, but well worth the wait (and the work). Our #2 release is from one of our favorite songwriters. A guy who started out on the Indie Circuit in a band named after a 1970's TV show opening for the Barenaked Ladies, jumped to a major label, and ended up back on the Indie side of the fence.
#2 - Jason Plumb & The Willing - Beauty In This World

Beauty In This World is one of the first CDs we reviewed and remains one of our favorites. Jason Plumb has always had a penchant for writing these gorgeous songs, often with upbeat or sweet melodies and melancholy to depressing lyrics. Plumb raised his game on Beauty In This World from star quality to genius. This is the most sonically pleasing album of the year. This is the first album Plumb produced entirely on his own, and his DNA is in every note. It's been a long trip from his days with The Waltons, but Plumb has gotten better and better, just like fine wine. I don't believe he tours extensivelly anymore, and you're not likely to find a show outside of his native Canada, so his albums and the live clips on Youtube are probably your best bet to get to know Jason Plumb. Don't deny yourself the opportunity.