The Hippocrites - The Goodbye Waltz

The Hippocrites - The Goodbye Waltz
2010, Dirt Floor Records

The last time we heard from The Hippocrites they were based in New Haven, Connecticut and were shopping a three-song demo, In Rock N Roll We Trust that was intended to turn into a full length album in 2008. Things don’t always work out quite as planned, but sometimes delays are worth the wait. The now Naples, Florida-based Hippocrites have finally created their full length debut, The Goodbye Waltz. While In Rock N Roll We Trust was a positive experience, The Hippocrites have certainly refined their sound in the past two years.

The Goodbye Waltz opens with "I Don't Have A Heart", a solid americana/rock tune in the Tom Petty tradition. Vocalist Jesse Como sounds more than a bit like Van Morrison, with a solid voice and a workman's delivery that is unaffected and appealing. "I Don't Have A Heart" makes a great transition between a verse that's anomalous to a wonderfully catchy refrain you'll be singing for days. "Hurricane" thoroughly reinforces the Van Morrison comparison in a song about the fleeting nature of love in an imperfect world. "Jesse James" climbs on the power of what you might call an ambling bass line and the powerful, emotive vocal line. James tells his story in autobiographical fashion through the song, a story that's both sad and unrepentant and intriguing in its passion. "Baby Blue" is the story of a lifelong rover who's looking for a home but can't seem to take himself off the road. The song has a pleasant melody that seems vaguely familiar on first listen.

"The Ballad Of Georgie Porgie" hits on a soul and funk vibe as a song of loss and remembrance with someone of a poor, pitiful me theme. It's a great arrangement, and Como is torturously emotive on vocals. He channels a bit of Adam Duritz on "Beautiful Girls", getting repetitive and a bit lost in the process even while providing a solid vocal performance. "Lie To Me Tonight" is a plea for solace in the face of impending loss. The song has a whiny, desperate feel to it that works well with Como's voice but isn't entirely a pleasant listen. The closing track "A Little More Time" attacks a similar concept with more grace and subtlety in a well constructed arrangement featuring great vocal triads over a gentle country facade.

The Hippocrites may vacillate throughout The Goodbye Waltz but never give the lie to their musical intentions. The Goodbye Waltz is consistent and solid throughout. Even on the slower songs there is a consistent energy and commitment to each musical turn that speaks well for the future of The Hippocrites. Vocalist Jesse Como isn't the most dynamic front man out there, but he sells each song with a passion that gathers attention even in the moments where his voice questions the wisdom of some of the higher notes he attempts. The Hippocrites have a very solid effort on their hands in The Goodbye Waltz.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about The Hippocrites at www.myspace.com/thosehippocrites.  The Goodbye Waltz is available digitally from Amazon.com and iTunes.  CDs will be available soon.  Keep checking The Hippocrites' MySpace page for availability.

Review: Nick Curran And The Lowlifes - Reform School Girl

Nick Curran And The Lowlifes - Reform School Girl
2010, Electric Groove Records

Austin, Texas-based Nick Curran has made quite a stir in the world of roots music. His debut album, 2004's Dr. Velvet won the W.C. Handy Award (AKA The Blues Music Award) for "Best New Artist Debut", leading to all sorts of positive press and a stint on HBO's True Blood. Along the way, Curran spent three years playing with Jimmie Vaughan of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and gained a reputation as one of the most hard-charging guitarists in his genre. Curran recurs with his new band The Lowlifes on the brand new Reform School Girl, recently released on Electric Groove Records.

Reform School Girl opens with "Tough Lover", a blend of Rock, R&B and Bop. Curran gets a bit derivative, invoking Lil Richard in his vocal styling while throwing in references to Elvis Presley and Jesse James (the outlaw, not the idiot), but the song is a delightful romp of old school fun and modern poetry. "Reel Rock Party" is barrelhouse blues and rock n roll. The song is entertaining, although the heavy vocal effects are more of a distraction than a boon. "Reform School Girl" is a bit kitschy, with a pure 1950's style that will mesh uneasily with the more modern subject matter for some oldies fans. The rest of the album is much the same, whether on big catchy pop/rock tunes such as "Sheena's Back", "The Lowlife" or "Lusty Lil' Lucy", or more mundane tunes like "Dream Girl" or "Filthy".

Curran has a great voice for the art form, and his band is as tight as they come. Reform School Girl takes a beloved form for older baby-boomers and mixes it with a burlesque sensibility that may make it a tough sell to the folks who generally listen to 1950's music. Curran is obviously aiming for a lower common denominator. The songs are strong and well written; but it seems likely that the demographic for this material is a very narrow band that could easily be missed. Curran gets a lot of points for creativity and showmanship, but something here rings a bit hollow nonetheless.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Nick Curran & The Lowlifes at http://www.nickcurran.com/ or www.myspace.com/curranrocks. Reform School Girl is available from Amazon.com as either a CD or Download.