Chris Price “Dalmatian”
After last year’s brilliant Stop Talking, Price collects a few songs written during these sessions and added some new ones. Price continues to deal with contrasts and character studies of damaged people early on in Dalmatian. Starting with the chugging beat of “Sick Boy,” its a catchy ode to a remorseless killer who “likes his gun, it turns him on.” The piano ballad “Fever Dream” is a flowing emotional melody with delicate harmonies about “going down the rabbit hole” of love.
The tone shifts on “Roller Coaster,” a rocker that boasts a tasty baseline and beat sure to be a favorite, its the definition of a power pop classic. “The Dream is Over (But We’re Just Waking up)” is a self-reflective piano tune with some great layered harmony lines, and “Discount Love” has rocking dance beat and a Beach Boys-styled “umm-bop-ditty” backing that would’ve been a huge hit if it was released in 1976. I found no filler anywhere, and even though this album isn’t as thematically unified as Stop Talking, it strikes a more balanced tone. And despite the “odds & ends” approach, it sounds like Price is having a lot of fun here as well. Makes my top ten and appears at the top of that list for 2018 so far. Don’t miss this one. Super highly recommended!
The Rallies “Serve”
There will always be great music that slips through the cracks, and The Rallies Serve is one of those albums last year I wish I heard earlier. The Rallies are a tight four-piece band from Tacoma, Washington fronted by Steve Davis (vocals/guitar), Lee Brown (drums), Jeff Weidman (guitar), and Rick Jones (bass). Fans of The Rembrandts, Matthew Sweet, and Crowded House will really enjoy the Rallies sound.
The opener “Don’t Give Up” is a solidly strummed melody in the tradition of Tom Petty that speaks of hope. The jangling gems “Whatever You Thought,” “No One Knows,” and“Every Now and Then” all feature solid songwriting and easy on the ear melodies. The catchy “So Right” boasts a great rhythm and harmonies that drives the song forward. The style and tone of the songs are all very consistent, and if you wanted to nitpick – it would’ve been nice to see a little more variety. That mentioned, The Rallies are a force to pay attention to, and I hope to hear more from them in the near future. Highly Recommended.
