I'm a big fan of New York's Andrew Weiss. He has a reputation as a sort of Laurel Canyon troubadour and a fine storyteller. But there has always been much more and as he has become really prolific recently without ever foregoing the quality.
He has always had a way with Pop Rock that transcends his West Coast Rock reputation and it bursts out in spades here. There's also the surprise of liberally spread more modern synths that have more in common with 80s New Wave.
Don't get me wrong, there is still plenty of his 70s sounding joy present, for instance the splendid Mr Roy Gee Biv with its Don Henley like vocal and storytelling strength of Milk Carton Missing Kid, a top notch duet with Sara Barsky that mixes American, West Coast and Folk.
You Against The World gets all Classic Rock and Weiss still has his strength with a building Anthem, this time it is Shirley, This Can't Be It. The songwriting strength stands out on Today, Tomorrow, The End Of Next Week, The Latest is Easy Listening Joy.
The Pop Rock really stands out, especially on the magnificent This Parking Lot Has No Vacancy, which may be the best song that Weiss has ever written. Epic in scope, beautifully arranged. There has never been a Weiss album that disappoints, but this may be his best ever.
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