Cliff Hillis "The Long Now"

Cliff Hillis (formerly of Starbelly and IKE) pulls together his third solo record. After he left IKE, Hillis worked on some songs for movie soundtracks and even won last year’s Chili’s contest with his Beatles-style take on the eatery’s “Baby Back Ribs” jingle. This new Hillis album has a more mellow spin here, with the pleasing tight melodies that sound like Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze) mixed with John Mayer. The smooth catchy opener “She Sees” shuffles along at a casual pace that switches to the guitar buzzing goodness of the great “Never Understand” with those great “ooh ooh” vocals in the chorus. The album boasts a cadre of pop experts including his band The Thinkers, as well as Eric Bazilian(The Hooters), Danny Wilde (The Rembrandts), and Willie Wisely. The song “Elevator” is another standout of awesome light pop melody and tempered beat that flows right into the chorus. “Northern Lights” echos back to earlier albums and flirts with a Posies-like sound with heavier guitar. The Beatlesque mid-tempo “Ought to know” is another great tune with an unusual synth break during the main banjo melody. Every song here is good, and even the ballads don’t get too weepy. The songs delve into subjects about maturing relationships and marriage – without the usual gloom and doom you hear with other artists. This is a good solid album you are sure to enjoy.

My Space | Tallboy Records | Not Lame