The last time that we visited New York's Andrew Weiss was for 2022's excellent Sunglasses & Ash. You can read the review here. The great news is that he has lost none of his ability to switch directions at will. One minute, he is serving up Great Guitar Pop, the next sounding more West Coast and he isn't afraid to venture into Folk and Americana, particularly acoustically.
All of these things are here and he may have a chameleon like quality, but he does everything beautifully. If the first thing that you heard was the closer, Hope All Is Well, you would think that he's a Classic Rock troubadour. But listen to the opener, I Don't Wanna Live In This World and you will hear one of the best slices of Guitar Pop that you have heard all year.
There is plenty of Pop Rock here. Put That In Your Pipe (And Smoke It) is pure 80s AOR and Knots I Can't Untie Rocks things up and may be the standout song here. How Far Would You Go is more Classic Rock, but vocally. a little Don Henley. All three are lyrically adept and beautifully performed.
But the West Coast sounding songs are just as engaging. Betsy Ross Blues is great storytelling, It's Not Funny creeps up on you, hypnotic at times with some superb Steel Guitar. Cash For Gold could be The Band.
The Acoustic journey is moody and magnificent. The Hour In Between Worlds mixes Folk with Americana, it is a fine duet with Sara Barsky. Arnold Palmer sounds like a self confessional and This Is Your Captain Speaking becomes a 70s Pop Rock easy listening joy.
A Special Mention for Virginia Slim which adds Sax and Honky Tonk Piano to a Let's Do The Song Right Here vibe. The Sax solo is ace. The Last Of The Outdoor Kids is another tour de force from Weiss (and friends). As accomplished as ever.
You can listen to and buy the album here.
..............................
No comments:
Post a Comment