The Vinyl Skyway “Long Cool Journey”
Cambridge, MA band The Vinyl Skyway (singer/songwriters Michael Hayes and Andy Santospago) are back with another fine album. It opens strong with the catchy gem “She Don’t Worry,” where they almost brag “I got my hooks in you / What are we gonna do?” It indeed hooks you. It then steps back to a more thoughtful indie ballad on “Old Route 9,” it’s a beautifully subtle composition about wandering the Boston streets with bitter memories. The next few tracks are sparse but emotionally resonate, notably “Wasteland” and the country folk of “Reach into My Heart.”
Midway through the guitars and tempo pick up again on the fine “Travel King,” which has some ELO-like echoes. Santospago’s vocals have some nice double tracking on the sad portrait of an ageless hipster on “Subterranean Hearts” and the acoustic “Indian Summer” is very reminiscent of Paul Simon or Tom Petty. The rich sound on “Everbody Wants To Say Goodbye” is another highlight, with the added vocals of Kristin Cifelli. Stylistically, it doesn’t always work – it feels like 2 different albums mixed together. But the songwriting earns your respect with repeated listens. Highly Recommended.
Alex Bloom “Blue Room”
Roger Manning Jr. recommended I listen to Alex Bloom (he is currently helping produce his next album). I wasn’t disappointed, as Alex is a singer-songwriter very much in the mold of Elliot Smith or Chris Price. He’s got a distinct melodic gift and high vocal register that really impresses. The soaring harmonies and ageless melody of “Eyes In The Back of Her Head” is a real keeper and the ethereal pop gem “I Don’t Know You Anymore” will stick in your head for days.
The aching piano ballad “Change Your Mind” is another huge highlight, but the remaining tracks on this short album struggle to reach those lofty heights of greatness. “It’s Alright” injects a little indie soul, the slow-building “One More Shot” has a fine chorus, but it drags out a bit long. With what I heard, I expect greatness on his next album (No pressure, Alex).
