IKE has outdone themselves with this new release entitled, "Where To Begin." And I am very glad...I found the last release (2005's "In Real Life") to be subpar for John Faye, one of my favorite power pop singer/songwriters. On top of that, some significant personnel changes have occurred, including the departure of Cliff Hillis, who always provided excellent harmonies with John, and is an outstanding songwriter in his own right. So I was nervous about what the new version of IKE was going to sound like.
But IKE is back and then some, with the most consistently strong batch of songs I've heard on any CD in a long time. Starting with track 1, the hooks just stick right in you and don't let go. Crunchy guitars, arena rock choruses, witty lyrics, and sweet harmonies...what is there not to love? IKE's sound has been given a boost and John is singing better and more confidently than ever before.
If you have never heard of John Faye, or his older band The Caulfields, and you love power pop and rock, you've got to check out IKE. They have shared the stage with Bon Jovi, REM, Cracker, Butch Walker, Train, Better Than Ezra, Matthew Sweet and more...if you like any of those artists, you would surely dig IKE.
iPOD-worthy: 1-5, 7, 8, 13, 14
IKE at MySpace. Official site.
No comments:
Post a Comment