Rob Munk returns to the music scene after a 20 year absence due to acting and it is really inspiring that such a heart warming album is the result. The involvement of both Kevin March and Roy Ketchem will lead to Guided By Voices comparisons, although there is far more to this splendid album.
The New Jersey artist is primarily part of a trio including Daniel London and Joe Ventura and they conjure up great intelligent melodic Guitar Pop. hooks with a serious message. Phased Out isn't as lo-fi as you might expect and is a refeshingly laid back affair.
Amazon, in particular, underlines the lyrical seriousness, but cushions the weight with a jauntiness, riff led joy that evokes memories of the milder side of the IRS roster. Slumber is another fine example of this approach, wonderfully melodic, with a great hook and an ace solo.
Outbound Track is very atmospheric with its hypnotic steel guitar and Americana vibe, The title track is similarly moody, this time in a more Folky direction. Run though evokes thoughts of the Glasgow Indie scene of the eighties with its Dream Pop sensibilies.
Eyes Of God slightly hides its light under a bushel with its start stop tweeness, but The Ghosts Of San Francisco is much more straight ahead, a welcome jangling joyous song with a clever staccato verse leading into a sing along chorus.
The beauty of Phased Out is the mix of the fast and the slow, the combination of moodiness and joy that enhances the lyrical sentiments of the album. Heavy Shoes is a song that deserves to be heard everywhere and hopefully this will review will aid that.
You can listen to and buy the album here.
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