Review: Tony D'Mattia - fiZ

Tony D’Mattia - fiZ
2009, Tony D’Mattia

Tony D'Mattia has the market on radio-ready pop anthems practically cornered. His third album, entitled FiZ (also his stage name), is chock full of eleven highly polished pop songs that veer from straight up pop to R&B and even a bit of guitar rock. D'Mattia collaborated with Steve Holly (Wings) and producer/musician Bob Stander (The Platters, Paul Townshend) on the album, enhancing his pop tendencies without becoming a self-parody. D'Mattia displays grand ideals on stage and off, believing in the power of music to heal and change the world.

FiZ opens with This Is It, a positive rocker that's very catchy and radio-ready. D'Mattia stays upbeat through most of the album, whether in softer pop oriented tunes (High, Sending A Vine, You And Me) or more upbeat rockers (Take Me Back, No Words, Anything). The highlight of the album is the duet version of There with Janet Montalbo (amazing voice). This is a song that could be chart ready right now. If D'Mattia were to break out with a single from this album my first suspicion would be There, although Sending Is Vine is also incredibly catchy. D'Mattia also does a good job on the solo version of There that closes out the album, but the song just works better as a duet.

FiZ is a hard album to get a handle on. It's very well done: well produced, high-gloss pop music that is bound to make an impact in the commercial environment. If there is any complaint its that FiZ doesn't appear to have any rough edges. While it's a good listen, there's nothing here that makes you want to go seek out D'Mattia or his music. D'Mattia's voice is good but isn't terribly unique or interesting. The songs themselves are the sort of reusable pop format that radio thrives on but fails to make any real lasting impact. FiZ is a pleasant listen but just doesn't have that extra something that makes it stay with you.

Rating: 2.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about fiZ at www.myspace.com/fiz. You can purchase a copy of
fiZ at www.cdbaby.com/cd/tdmattia2.

Review: The Handsome Family - Honey Moon

The Handsome Family - Honey Moon
2009, Carrot Top Records

The Handsome Family is husband and wife duo Brett and Rennie Sparks. The Albuquerque, new Mexico tandem decided to celebrate their 20th year of marriage by releasing their eighth album, the aptly titled Honey Moon. Their previous CD, The Last Days Of Wonder was recognized by Mojo magazine as one of the top ten American albums of 2006, as well as recognizing their third CD, Through The Trees as one of the ten essential Americana albums of all time. Inspired by classic brother duos (Monroe, Everley, Louvin) of early country music and the great vocal R&B groups (Mills Brothers, Ink Spots, Platters), The Handsome Family crafted twelve highly melodic and deep songs for Honey Moon.

Honey Moon opens with Linger, Let Me Linger, which sounds like it might have come right out of the Grand Ol' Opry itself, circa 1952. Little Sparrows comes to a bit more modern sound, hitting a classic country stride that might have haunted AM radio in the 1970's and early 1980's. Brett Sparks has a very full and somewhat heavy voice that is something of a period sound. Rennie Sparks is the perfect vocal counterpoint, with a light and airy sound that illuminates the darker edge of Brett Sparks. The Loneliness Of Magnets explores the junction where early rock, jazz and country meet in one of the aural highlights of the album. Other highlights include The Petrified Forest, When You Whispered, Wild Wood and The Winding Corn Maze.
I am not as enraptured with The Handsome Family as some critics seem to be, but they are certainly very talented. The Sparks show a strong sense of melody and harmony, and lyrically there is a real sense of movement to the songs on Honey Moon. Fans of classic country and Americana will definitely dig this one.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about The Handsome Family at www.myspace.com/thehandsomefamily or http://www.handsomefamily.com/, where you can purchase Honey Moon.

Review: Movin' Melvin Brown - The Magic Of You

Movin' Melvin Brown - The Magic Of You
2007, Melvin Brown

Movin' Melvin Brown may just be the last of the great song and dance men. His shows are an artists' depiction of what might happen if the likes of Same Cooke, Louis Armstrong, The Platters, James Brown, Ray Charles and Bill "Bojangles" Robinson all took the stage together for one night. Brown sings, dances, taps, clogs and performs comedic soliloquies in the course of a stage show that leaves audiences begging for more. Brown isn't just a mimic, he practically inhabits the memories of artists such as Sam Cooke and Ray Charles, as if the late, great stars stood before you on stage once more, if only for one night. Brown's 2007 release, The Magic Of You, finds Brown moving from persona to persona as he navigates his way through 17 vibrant tunes that run the gamut between Soul, R&B, Rock N Roll and the Blues.

Brown has added a newer song to The Magic Of You in honor of Barack Obama. I Have A Dream (Obama Dream Theme Song) is an update of the great Martin Luther King, Jr. speech as inspired by Obama's historic run for President of the United States. Whoto Man is an overtly political song that reads like a diatribe against dishonorable politicians. This kind of modern, mostly spoken-word material doesn't fit quite so well with Brown's persona. The same can be said to a degree about Communication. It's a great message steeped in cultural politics, but the message in this case overpowers the singer. People, on the other hand, finds Brown more in his element, with classic R&B vibes and a nasty funk bass line and Brown losing himself in the classic sounds.

The Magic Of You finds Brown channeling Ray Charles so close to true you'll do an aural double take. One of the true highlights of the disc is the jaunty My Love Is Real. The arrangement almost borders on cheesy at times, but Brown is spot on in one of the best performances on the album. Master Of The Beat gets Brown into full funk/disco mode with a country flavored guitar lead. It's an odd tune but wonderfully entertaining to listen to. There's almost a Creedence Clearwater Revival "Swamp Rock" thing going on here. I Ain't Got Time is another favorite. Movin' Melvin Brown is absolutely vocally inspired here. Other highlights include Can You Feel and Special.

Movin' Melvin Brown translates pretty well to CD, but my guess is that there is nothing quite like a live show with this man. Nevertheless The Magic Of You is quite a treat. Brown is at his best digging into a classic R&B or Blues sound, but is more than competent on everything else. There are a couple of slow moments on the album, but in general it's a fine offering. The Magic Of You is recommended for all ages, as much of the music Brown is practically universal across generations A great listen.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Movin' Melvin Brown at http://www.movinmelvin.com/ where you can purchase a copy of The Magic Of You.