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analysis w/e 14.5.11 |
DVDs out 9.5.11 |
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@ DVDfever Youtube |
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May 11 2011 
DVDfever co uk
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Country rock... and more. New Yorkers The Brilliant Mistakes have been knocking around for some 15 years. This trio – Alan Walker singer/keys, bassist Erik Philbrook, and latest recruit Paul Mauceri are well known for their eclectic tastes, which once again reveal themselves on Distant Drumming, their third album since 1999. Known for their fondness for Motown and 60s British pop singles, they cleverly fuse the styles bringing forth catchy melodic pop and rock, with elements of Crosby Stills Nash and Young, certainly in the vocal harmony and melody departments. Since their formation, which focussed primarily on power-pop, their template has taken a turn towards contemporary Americana. Early on they favoured the stylings of Elvis Costello, Crowded House, Squeeze, The Beatles, The Byrds, Beach Boys, though their newer leanings still embrace many of their songwriting qualities. Take the opening song The Day I Found My Hands. This lush country-tinged gem has jangly guitars and rolling acoustic guitar with a genuine pop element which has splashes of The Traveling Willburys t’boot. Alan Walker’s country lilt owes much to Neil Young on sunny foot-tapping belter Monday Morning aiming to match the Wilson brothers’ harmonic quality.
On Becoming, they appear to embrace the 1950s sound featured on The Buena Vista Social Club fused with country-rock which has arguably their best vocal performance, all honey and sunshine again. Good Year For A Change is rooted further in country rock, though undeniably, Crowded House are hovering in there in terms of song presentation. Changing tack, mellow Water Falling Down is a gorgeous bitter-sweet ballad that would fit perfectly into BBC Radio 2’s playlist, and by far the album’s best song. ‘Shakey’ looms large once again on rugged rocker Time In The Night, a tale of longing and confusion. The strangest fusion here is Let’s Pretend where they give a massive nod to The Beatles and My Morning Jacket - curiously the blend works to perfection, whereas closer, Woke Up Your Heart gives a wink to mid-70s Eagles balladeering. The verdict: Grower.
Weblink: thebrilliantmistakes.com
The full list of tracks included are :
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B 37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier. PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
