Indie favorite, Greg Summerlin joined producer Ed Ackerson (The Replacements, Golden Smog, Brian Setzer, Juliana Hatfield) in a Minneapolis studio to produce the latest album “All done in good time”. It’s an ambitious and grandiose 50 minute symphonic melodrama that tells a somewhat linear storyline. It comes with a booklet that describes the plot, but I was more interested in the music. Summerlin’s sound is a mix of U2 and The La’s with a dash of Brit-pop thrown in. After a sleepy intro, it rocks hard in the opener “Shine on Where You Want” and really delivers the goods. The hook-laden, ringing guitars here really grow on you. It follows with “Redemption,” a epic of post-punk pop that remind me of The Sundays a little. Ackerson’s guitar work here is amazing throughout the album. Janey Winterbauer’s supporting vocals recall Susanna Hoffs sweetness, and she does an excellent job here. Also helping out is John P. Strohm (The Lemonheads, Blake Babies). Hints of The House Martins meet The Bangles flow through “Just Listen Tonight.” The narrative really works on “Please Don’t Tell” with Greg and Janey’s intertwining chorus, a song that is closer to a real stage musical number than the other tunes here. Almost every track here shines and the problem is that it’s alot to absorb. This would’ve been a truly great 10-track album. But with 14 tracks, trying to follow the story with the tunes may take more effort than you expect. It’s easier here to enjoy great melodies like “Atmosphere” and the epic theme from “Shine on Where You Want” reprises in the closer “The Final Plan.” Summerlin is also the founder and owner of Superphonic Records and has amazing talent that should not be ignored.
Greg Summerlin Website | MySpace | Superphonic Records | Emusic
Listen to “Unlucky in Love”
