Richard Turgeon “Go Deep”
San Francisco musician Richard Turgeon goes for the gusto on his third album in three years, sounding like The Gin Blossoms if they were fronted by Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices). This is the final album of his “California Trilogy,” where his songwriting is centered on his life on the West Coast. Starting with “The One That Got Away,” its a catchy gem with a great hook and layered harmonies that you can sing along to.
The heavier fuzz on “If You Leave Me” is proof of his solid talent and its another winner. “Next to Me” mines a very Weezer-like rhythmic structure and “Keanu Reeves” boasts some excellent guitar jamming. Some tunes seem influenced by Pete Townshend, like “Lost and Found” and the moving rocker “Lonely Old Man.” Richard then dips his toe in the country-roots waters with “Cowboy Life.” I think Richard has finally found his sweet spot, as each of his albums gets progressively better. Highly Recommended.
The Mike Benign Compulsion “Bygones”
Milwaukee-based Mike Benign is at a crossroads. What began as a labor of love for Mike could turn out to be his final album. Musicians Joe Vent (guitar), Paul Biemann (bass) and Michael Koch (drums) join Mike on this journey. And they do not disappoint.
Opening with “Beauty & Pedigree & Bank,” it comes from a acerbic place, a little like Elvis Costello’s early formula of fatalism and resentment. Next “Bonafide Americans” is a pure expression of this country’s Trump fatigue as he points out “…and that’s how they wanted it.” But Mike comes up big with a gorgeous composition “Let It Rain or Let it Be” and you’ll hear both The Beatles and Clapton in this tune.
But mainly Benign is a musical truth-teller. Whether its the media (“Bombs Rain Down”) or the state of the music industry (“These Heroes”) he sings what many just think. We do get interrupted from all this pessimism with the gentle “Olivia Rainmaker,” a jangling Beatlesque gem. Another notable standout is “Manchild” with its prominent guitar twang. Most of the songs are within 3 minutes; just long enough to get the point across. I just wish there was a glimmer of hope in some of these songs, but they are solidly melodic and worth many repeats in your player. It’s music that deserves to be heard.
