Zeitgeist Reviews - PLAN E, JAMISON YOUNG, LOPE, THE FORRESTERS, THE THORNS, LINDA McLEAN

CD OF THE WEEK

THE FORRESTERS - 4 track promo

And now it's back to Australia for an Americana influenced slice of power pop, and it's rather splendid. All 4 tracks are taken from their debut CD, "Skindeep", namely "Are You Ready", "Outtamyhead", "Missing You" and "Tremblin'".

And it's "Are You Ready" which is the peachiest of a pound of peaches. Resolutely upbeat, chockfull of the harmony vocals I adore, sunny and hopeful. Damn these pesky kids with their warm and sunny vibe.

Comprised of singer-songwriter Anthony Bautovich from trans-Pacific pop ensemble The Orange Humble Band, Nick Kennedy (Big Heavy Stuff) on drums and Steve Balbi (Universe) on bass and augmented by Matt Galvin (Eva Trout) on guitar, Cameron Bruce (The Polaroids) on piano and organ and Charlie Owen's (Dark Horses) dobro playing, this is redolent of a golden period now past.

Working to the same template as the major label Thorns, these are emotionally honest songs, powered along by sublime musical performances and intricate harmonies. On "Tremblin'" they even reach back to my beloved "Farther Along" era Byrds to pull off another masterstroke of melody.

Gusset drippingly good, I feel moist with pleasure after The Forresters fourplay. The album can be purchased on-line at The Forresters website.

Jamison Young

Plan E

Plan E

Lope

Lope

The Thorns

The Thorns

Linda McLean

Linda McLean

JAMISON YOUNG - Shifting Sands of a Blue Car

Don't you just love it when a CD arrives from someone you've never heard of, and it touches your life in new and interesting ways. Well, Jamison Young has done just that with his inventive blend of folk, techno and classic rock.

Traipsing happily between numerous genres with consummate ease, Jamison teases and torments with nuances remaining undetected until several listens later.

Producer Tim Powles, formerly of The Church, adds in a spoonful of electronica and psychedelia, but without falling into the trip hop trap. Imagine if Portishead were any good, and had religiously listened to the complete works of Bob Dylan.

The highlight is "Carry The World", a trumpet assisted lament, which makes you feel nearly as tired as Mr Young. Awesome. This an enhanced CD also contains two videos for the songs, "Crush" and "How Far.

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PLAN E - Best Kept Secret

This is the third album from Plan E, and there is a noticeable shift to the Dark Side. They've moved on from the more traditional metal influences into a world of Nick Cave, Joy Division and (mid period) Paradise Lost with some trippy psychedelic influences thrown in for good measure.

Fans of the guitar will be surprised at the lack of and low mix of guitars on this here CD with the keyboards being given prominence, to great effect. Some of the songs are fairly indistinguishable, but Plan E are now dealing in moods and atmosphere, rather than traditional song structures. Although there is a bonus cover of Iggy Pops, "Johanna" added for those who like verse chorus verse.

Dripping with melancholy, this marks a large step forward for former Impaled Nazarene, Jani Lehtosaari, in the development of Plan E and is highly recommended. Someone sign them up now. Oh, and cool presentation as well.

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LOPE - Meta

Cool, another CD from the already lauded Lope.

I really liked the last ambient dreamscape offering, and this new one is more of the same, but better defined. You'll either like it or you won't as there's no half way house with this kind of thing.

There are guitars lurking away in the background, but mixed in so well, that all the instrumentation blends away into a whole. "V2" is a particular highlight, with a reflective riff that is very compelling. There are the usual hints of
Brian Eno, Low and even a nod to my beloved Red House Painters.

Top quality stuff, well worth investigating.

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THE THORNS - same

I'd be avoiding this CD, as the plaudits and CSN comparisons were setting me up for an almighty fall. The fact that Matthew Sweet, Shawn Mullins, and Pete Droge had done nothing for me individually also contributed. I skipped over the fact that they'd dragged in heavyweights like Jim Keltner, Brendan O'Brien, and Roy Bittan to help out, and closeted myself away.

However, the release of a 'special edition' (and how much do I hate those lamentable record company aberrations, especially when they suck me in like this one) with a bonus CD of acoustic versions persuaded me to fork over some cash, and take a listen. And it was good.

For once the comparisons hadn't gone awry. It was pure harmony ala Crosby, Stills & Nash especially on the unvarnished acoustic versions. There are also nods to the other classic West Coast songwriters of the early 70s, particularly Jackson Browne. There is an added quality to the vocals which makes up for their solo deficiencies making the whole much greater than the sum of its parts.

My only regret is the months I spent not listening to this music. Highlights - the whole damn thing but try "I Can't Remember" with its simple but brutal chorus and "Dragonfly", so David Crosby it's unbelievable.

- better than the official site

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LINDA McLEAN - Betty's Room (Proper Music)

This is a five track sampler from the album showcasing material from a highly talented Canadian singer / songwriter. As I'm in the mood for lazy comparisons I shall use the names Sarah McLachlan, Shawn Colvin, Oh Susannah and (especially on "Mandolin", Joni Mitchell.

And now to business.

There's scant information on the press release, but we know she writes her own material, which is melodic, hook ridden and chock full of evocative lyrics. Linda has a very strong voice, none of the whispering wallflower malarkey here

There's nowt fancy, it's a mixture of voices, guitars, drums, mandolin, keyboards and bass, but there's a warmth, depth and integrity which is instantly appealing. "Waiting for The Sky To Fall" is the one that could be the massive crossover song. Catchy and insistent.

I'd give you a web contact but there doesn't seem to be one. However, you can buy it from Amazon.