Mike Viola “Godmuffin”
Mike Viola (Candy Butchers) returns to a more conventional rock and pop sound, but the years of producing others and his own experimentation have left their mark. Written and recorded alone in Viola’s home studio his songwriting remains in top-notch form starting with “USA Up All Night” a slice of life that brings to life the stress and isolation (“…all of the bars are closed”) of the time. “Creeper” (in response to the passing of friend Adam Schlesinger) adds menace to the story, and “Drug Rug” is a catchy look back at his early days in the music biz and the parties where you “get lost.”
Viola has an air of tragedy that swirls around each song as he dives into fatherhood, “We May Never Be This Young Again” but the pain of loss on “All You Can Eat” is palpable. The introspection gets more impassioned on “People Pleaser, You’re The Man of The House” and some hope is expressed on “Ordinary Girl.” A downer of an album, but also very well done. Highly Recommended!
Drake Bell “The Lost Album”
Early in 2007 — Drake Bell delivered a debut pop album It’s Only Time and it blew me away at the time. But for the follow-up — Drake lost the computer hard drive where all the new songs were stored. “I thought the songs would never be heard again,” the now 33-year-old says. So he started over, writing and recording the rockabilly-influenced Ready Set Go! in 2014. But then one day he found that damaged hard drive, and recovered all those songs. For Drake, it was like opening up a time capsule.
Bell’s follow up to that debut continues his melodic mastery and it’s brilliantly upbeat. “You Want Me” is soul-inspired power pop with horns supporting his layered vocal harmonies. The piano flirtation “On To You” and “It’s Never Over” are comparable to Wyatt Funderburk for pop bounce and sly humor. “Sail On” is a grand epic ballad in the Brian Wilson mode, and “Nowhere Else To Go” injects ‘70s pop-funk akin to the Jackson 5. He adds a few country-pop tunes as well. Every song shines bright, and it’s a contender for this year’s top ten for sure. Better late than never and Highly Recommended.
