“Invisible” is the sophomore effort recently released by Christopher Cash - who has not been heard from since “Hollywood Mirage” in 2005. “Invisible” continues Cash’s penchant for setting stories and philosophy into succinct pop songs.
Cash is a seasoned songwriter and performer, even promoting his music as "Adult rock that rocks". If you like a little musical complexity and wit on your iPOD rather than generic progressions and bland lyrics, then you should invest in some Cash. Listening to this CD brings several artists and influences to my mind, including Elvis Costello and John Wesley Harding. Cash sounds like them vocally, but at times also sounds like Jim Peterik (check out "Tangled in Wire") and Pat DiNizio (The Smithereens). Cash enunciates his lyrics clearly, and even though he stays in a comfortable low to mid-range tone, his voice is charming and warm.
While Cash’s talents are too broad to pigeon hole him into a single genre, there is a subtle yet unmistakable 80s vibe in the music akin to Joe Jackson's material then. Similarly, for listeners who are near religious about hooks and melodies, Cash is probably not going to interest you on the first listen. There are some standout cuts that should make anyone happy, including the brightest spot on the CD, "Morning Star", complete with some tastefully placed sitar and wonderful lala harmonies. "Blistering Velvet" and "Coming Home" are some of the more instantly catchy pieces. "Not Going Back" has a marked Neil Diamond feel to it, and the title track is another favorite of mine - a solemn tune fitting to the longing in the lyrics, accented with some excellent guitar work. "Empathy" is a bluesy rock commentary on our society's shortcomings, rooted in a lack of empathy. If you dig acoustic-driven ballads, you will be pleased with "Eloquence" and "Three Minutes Late". The latter reminds me of a Harry Chapin tune.
Overall, "Invisible" is a versatile blend of jangle pop, sizzling blues, and folk rock that gets better with repeated listens.
iPOD-worthy: 1, 3, 6, 11
Christopher Cash on MySpace. Official site.
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