CD’s, VINYL & DOWNLOADS
The Boxmasters Speck (Keentone/Thirty Tigers) Not since the Beatles
have I witnessed such a creative and ongoing output of good music
as witnessed by the “little ol’ band from L.A.,” the Boxmasters. Teddy, J.D. and Bud are back with a brand-new offering for the summer of 2019 entitled Speck. Engineer/Producer Geoff Emerick was
quoted as saying Speck was “one of the most exciting projects I have worked on since the Beatles.” Emerick worked as engineer on the
Beatles Revolver and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. He also added his magic touch to records by Badfinger. the Zombies, Paul McCartney, America and more. Speck is filled with all the usual musical influ- ences that have helped to mold Bud and ‘em into the superstar pop combo that they are, from the Beatles to the Byrds, but listeners will find some sonic surprises within the grooves of Speck (available on vinyl and com- pact disc. Unfortunately, no 8-track or reel to reel is being issued this time.) Geoff recalls the Beatles using everything from cardboard boxes to ukulele. The songwriting is amazing. As always,
with songs about social issues. Interpersonal relationships, and politics all set to a groovy ‘60’s style musical vibe. Thornton’s lyrics are always honest, as in the set opener “I Wanna Go Where You Go,” where he sings to a part- ner that he will always be with her, regardless of her issues, and follows it up with a (lovely) tune called “Anymore,” in which he breaks up with the girl, laying it on the line with “I don’t
love you anymore.” “Shut the Devil Up” starts out with in-
strumentation that would be right at home on a Beatles LP. Clocking in at a minute and a half, the song continues the study of relation- ship. “Here She Comes” is another infectious cut with strong ‘60’s swagger. The melody and chorus will get stuck in your head, and the lead guitar work is super fine. “Day’s Gone” kicks off with ukulele and bass, another subtle tip of the hat to the fab four, no doubt. “Watchin the Radio” really jumps out of the speakers in a kind of Byrds meet the Smithereens sound with jingle-jangle gui- tar catchy lyrics like “Without some electric- ity, the moon’s my only friend, I’m sittin’ here watchin’ the radio again.” The title track, “Speck,” is one of the
album’s finest. The music, melody and lyrics together paint a clear picture of us as human beings. We’re all just specks in the grand scheme. “When a speck gets in your eye It’s gonna make you cry It hurts but it won’t die Just blink and let it fly…” “Somebody to Say” closes out the
record with another melodic sing-along with the absolute perfect lyric to sum up the way many of us are feeling these days, “We need somebody to say, It’s gonna be okay.” Ain’t it the truth. The Boxmasters are touring this sum-
mer. See them and hear some of these songs live, along with tracks from their seven (at least) other albums and as always, lots of great surprises!
-Michael Buffalo Smith
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55
