Only Makbelieve “Message from a Mockingbird”
This Ohio duo (Samuel Atkinson and Wyatt Michael) have assembled a album with grand ambitions and some majestic pop tunes. The opener “Letters for the Dead” has a mix of guitars and progressive rock keyboards with a Celtic touch. The dense production will appeal to fans of “Seeds of Love”-era Tears for Fears or Split Enz. Highlights here include “Fly So High” with it’s smooth guitar work and heavenly harmonies and “Spending My Life” with ernest strum and soulful vocals. In the middle of this prog-folk rock – a stunner of a heavy rock song comes out, “Backstab” is a commercial radio-friendly anthem that has plenty of wicked guitar buzzsaw riffs. Another goodie here is the “Sunflower” which brings to mind early Julian Lennon, with lots of strings and horns as a sweet coda to the guitar melody. “Part Moon” is close to “Nonsuch” period XTC, with a combination of harmonies and rhythmic guitar. The tons of flourishing acoustic guitar work reminded me of Jeremy Morris solo work as well. It’s well worth your attention.
My Space | CD Baby
Danna and The Changes “Constant Cacophony”
I’m not sure who Danna is, but he sure can play. This Melbourne band has a touch of early Chilli Peppers with a heavy dose of The Replacements on the frenzied opener “Baby Love.” It then launches into “Good Duet” one of the best songs on the album, with a Raspberries-like hook that sinks deep in your brain. Highlights include “He And She” a bouncy mid-tempo piano melody not unlike Mike Viola or Ben Folds. The Beach Boys meets CSNY sweetness of “He Was Irrelevant” is proof of the amazing talent here and it’s a brilliant song with heartfelt lyrics. The songwriting is top notch and most songs here have great instrumentation. A few tunes here overreach a bit too much “Rise and Shine” being one of them. Danna also channels Jeff Tweedy quite well on “Shake It Up” and “Are You Gonna Take Me Home” And even the ender “Station” is one of the best over four minute tune I’ve heard in a while. There are a lot of different musical styles here to sink your ears into, so yes this is highly recommended.
My Space | CD Baby