I'm familiar with quite a few Michigan artists and you've read about them here. I also know of Big Sky Recording through their work with the likes of Nick Piunti. But Patrick Deneau is new to me and I get at his band. The City Lines second album. Recorded as a trio with Bob Zammit and Bryan Robert Kraan, this is a great Guitar Pop.
There are some similarities with the work of Piunti and Ryan Allen, but this album is much more Blue Collar and also at times takes a much more modern approach. There is also a splendid difference in the song writing. The verses are talky at times, more like a story narration.
There is also a couple of inspired choice of guests. The addition of Twin Deer on Seasons Won't Stay is inspired allowing the song to be half Americana and have Pop. The dual male / female vocal works beautifully. It is a cracking little song.
Better 'n' Worse goes full on Nashville Country and that works as antidote to the Guitar led songs elsewhere. Erased is a real noisy affair, gritty and pacey whilst Different This Year kicks in with what could be the sound of the new wave of UK Guitar bands and the chorus maintains this, yet the verse is almost AOR and the continual vocal additions make the song evem more interesting.
Where I Want To Be has a splendid jangle and a catch all chorus, but the verse really tells a story. Far Enough is the real sing along radio friendly affair. Deneau tells a great tale and sets his words to melodic Guitar Pop of the highest order. What a fine album this is!
You can listen to and buy the album here.
...................................
No comments:
Post a Comment