After two excellent largely Power Pop albums with the Average Lookings, David Brookings returns to his solo career. Those two band albums sparkled and shined, indeed the second, Scorpio Monologue, was in IDHAS's Best Of 2019 list. You can read the review here.
That riff led period is fine and dandy, but it does have its limitations and Brookings solo provides a much wider canvas to paint on. Thus Mania At The Talent Show is a much more varied affair and reveals layers not seen or noticed in the band albums.
The pace is slowed down allowing Brookings melodic laid back vocals to be appreciated more. His Singer Songwriter excellence has the air to breathe. The melody is as great as ever, the songs are as well written, but they have a much wider soundscape.
He can still do Jangle Guitar Pop as proven by One Of Us Is Crazy (The Other One Is Me). Get Off (My Mind) has a real 60's bouncy studio pop feel and Kill Shot is reminiscent of those great second half of the 70s Pop Rock with its hypnotic guitar.
The title track fairly bounces along splendidly and the cover of Tom Petty's Magnolia is wonderful. There is also a venture into Psych Pop with the moody Hide Your Crazy. Driving To Ojai is very Middle Of The Road West Coast Rock.
Mania At The Talent Show provides some great harmony moments. It is an album that will Rock you but gently. These 12 songs cover so many bases and the calmness of the songs and the arrangements allows THAT voice to shine. It is a very fine offering that deserves mass attention.
You can buy the album everywhere including David's website here. You can also listen at the streaming sites or on You Tube here.
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