Vegas With Randolph "Vegas With Randolph"

A new Washington DC band where no one is actually named Randolph. Lead by John Ratts (Vocals/Guitars) and Eric Kern (Keyboards/Vocals) they approach the music with a smart enthusiasm reminiscent of Fountains of Wayne and early Joe Jackson. The opening track “Be The One” starts the party atmosphere going (you can easily imagine this live) with strong lead guitars, keys and a beat that recalls The Isley Brothers “Shout.” The next tune “Happy” is a straight ahead power pop song, and the harmonies between Ratts and Kern are tight. The next few songs, “Milky Way Girl,” “The Same” and “When” seem to channel mid-nineties college rock pretty well. The tracks slow down a bit after the Oasis meets Sloan “Versailles” with changes in both tone and tempo. Both “Arizona Blue” and “Yours and Mine” have almost an alt. country earnestness. The album ends with a huge song cycle called “Longplay” which is almost a whole different album. Highlights here are the stellar “Got To Have Your Love” and piano ballad “Dreams of The Night” could be a full musical show tune. When you add it up that’s almost 18 tracks – a lot to absorb here. Maybe too much – as the throw it out and see what sticks method doesn’t always produce a cohesive album experience (sometimes it does work). But you’ll have to judge that yourself. Either way you’ll get an excellent value for your musical dollar.