As loyal readers are aware, I have been impressed with the roster of SideBMusic, a label that "brings fresh, meaningful, and creative music from independent artists", such as Chewy Marble and Richard Snow. Multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter Chris English has just released "Dreamtown" through SideBMusic.
"Dreamtown" is a beautiful piece of work, and it is difficult to believe it is a debut record. Chris English, however, is no stranger to the music business, having opened for acts such as Hall & Oates, Doobie Brothers, and The Smithereens. Chris has successfully channeled many of the artists he admires into his own songwriting and performing. There is plenty of Brian Wilson in his upbeat, sunny numbers like "Summer Revisited", Peter Gabriel coming through in the appropriately moody "Downtown", and Andy Partridge (XTC) in gems like "Autumn". His vocals are pleasant and soothing, and his lyrics inspirational and insightful.
My favorite tracks include the catchy "I Can See Everything", the atmospheric "Autumn", the shimmering ballad "Without You", and the bright, feel good song, "Summer Revisited".
Fans of Steely Dan, Brian Wilson, Todd Rundgren, and Peter Gabriel will delight in the thoughtful pop music found on this CD. Deeply textured, expertly performed, and intelligently crafted, the CD is a perfect soundtrack for a lazy Sunday afternoon. If Henry David Thoreau could have taken an iPOD to Walden Pond, he would have surely had Chris English on his playlist.
iPOD-worthy: 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11
Chris English on MySpace. Official site. SideBMusic site.
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