Chris Corney and Mike Barnett

Chris Corney “Airways Mansions”
The new solo album from British singer/songwriter Chris Corney showcases lush production and some terrific songs. The melodic strums of “America” has echos of both Tom Petty and Neil Finn (Crowded House). The subtle song-craft is evident in “These Bones” with sweeping harmonies through the chorus and the wah-wah guitar breaks. The Brydsian guitar jangle gets more pronounced on the slower “In Control,” as the album moves away from roots rock to an AOR style. This starts to sound a bit cliched with 80’s guitar motifs on “Without Love.”

The stripped down acoustic “Little Marrakesh” is where Chris shines, and it gets better. My favorite single here shows up in “Bella” with it’s echoing slide guitar and biting lyrics about desperation. The pop culture references are sprinkled around here and with repeated listens the message of societal corruption comes through loud and clear. It ends on a somewhat positive (?) note, “Woke Up In The Sun” – with no filler to be found. Overall a group of  solid rock tracks and a few intricately produced mid tempo gems make this real grower.

Mike Barnett “Bigger Than This”
In 2009 I reviewed the duo Barnett Gurley, so here is Mike Barnett jangling out solo style. The catchy opener “The Love I Have For You” will be repeating in your head for days. The guitar work is excellent and is equal parts Roger McGuinn and Neil Young, Barnett’s vocals are a bit on the nasal side, but if you get past that this is a great album. “Motorcycle” is a cheery strumming tune with a not so hidden riff from Badfinger’s “Baby Blue” in the chorus.

The roots inspired ballad “Amy Moon” is an interesting character sketch, with a Dylan-like harmonica break. The light pop of “Life’s Better” and “Sunshine Lemons” keep the mood upbeat, and the skiffle beat of “Shakin” is fun, but for some reason the fidelity on some of these tracks get pretty flat. This improves with the rich melodies “Love Will Win” and  “Shutting Down” which sounds like a lost Roy Orbison tune. Or is Mike just a long lost member of the Traveling Wilburys? You decide.