Are you back? Great. Now all that's left to say is that this reissue of Voobaha with its many bonus tracks is a treasure trove of twisted humor. Horror fans will dig "Cemetery Girls" with its samples from "It's a Good Life," the classic, terrifying Twilight Zone episode in which six-year-old Mumy turned cornfields into places of terror for a whole generation. "Party in My Pants," "Three Drunk Newts," "Sewey Hole" - they're all here. Yup. All here. For you. To listen. To. Go ahead. Eat them up. Yum.
Scott Blasey, Travelin' On
Now onto some regular stuff. The new solo CD by Scott Blasey, lead singer of The Clarks, has a warm, intimate sound that's folksier than the band's but boasts the same smooth, sturdy, heartland-pop songwriting that's characteristic of the Clarks' strong catalog.
Blasey gives his soulful side a good workout with "Sweet Mystery," "Little Sofia," and a version of the Sam Cooke classic "Bring It On Home To Me." (The latter, interestingly, is less convincing than Blasey's own soul ballads.) The catch in Blasey's voice - the soul - has always been an important part of the Clarks' appeal, and it extends to his solo work.
"Time To Go" is a powerful pop anthem. "See You Around" and "Church of the Open Highway" feature airy harmonies that give a hint of psychedelic pop. On the latter, guitarist Chris Holt, who elsewhere on the album contributes George Harrison-like guitar solos, references Patty Loveless's 1991 hit "Hurt Me Bad (In a Real Good Way"), pointing up the country elements in Blasey's heartland sensibility. Bubblegum pop ("Be Your Man") and original folk songs ("Baby, You're My Saving Grace" and the title track) also form part of the landscape.
The CD is treat from a savvy and talented veteran. There's a free download of the nice piano mix of "Time To Go," and a video of "San Antonio," at Blasey's website.
Mary Karlzen, Yours To Keep
Like the Clarks, Mary Karlzen is a major label veteran who is now/again happily independent. But her new CD disappoints. Much of it has an uptempo Americana feel, tastefully executed by a studio band that includes bassist Garry Tallent of the E Street Band and Wilco's Ken Coomer on drums. Unfortunately, blandness dominates. Karlzen's voice doesn't have enough oomph to carry the rockers, which mostly sound generic anyway. The snappy "Find Yourself" rises above the sameness, a little, and "Stupid or Something" is strong and catchy. The two covers - Paul Westerberg's "Skyway" and a duet with Matthew Ryan on Tom Waits's "Heart of Saturday Night - are nice.
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