Release Date: June
8, 2015
Label: Gornpop
Gordon Weiss has a new album out titled It’s About Time. I find that title very
appropriate considering it has been 7 years since he released his last
recording. However I think there can be more than one more meaning in that
song. Once again musical/studio wizard Jeff Canatta provides his talent in the
production phase of the album as well as contributing musically.
Weiss is the kind of artist that wears his influences on
his sleeve and those influences are ingrained in his soul, you can hear it in
his music. He plays guitar, piano, bass, keyboards, balalaika and percussion
throughout the album. His talent is quite apparent and his voice is very
distinctive.
The first two tracks come bursting out of the gate with
energy and a decisive direction. “The Ugly Inside” is an excellent way to kick
off the album showcasing the all-around talent of Weiss. Its highly energetic
approach and fast pace get in you in the right frame of mind and essentially
set you up for what is to come. “I’m Your Fan” (featured on Rate The Tracks) is a radio ready pop-rock tune with all the essential
elements. With lyrics and music to match it makes for the perfect ear candy.
“Sticky Thoughts” is drama and truth set to the perfect
musical setting. The piano, bass and drums are the screen the actors portray
their characters upon. It’s not hard to see this kind of thing in your mind’s
eye. Only good music is able to produce the proper images that the words
suggest and I find the music of Mr. Weiss to be an appropriate answer to that
question. In other words, he gets the job done very well.
My ears and senses always appreciate a multi-talented
artist like Gordon Weiss. “About Time” is another great tune that dives into
the conceptual piece of this recording. I liked the way the song builds up
slowly then launches into a faster paced guitar with an organ, bass and drums
to drive it to the next level. Then when it reaches a climax it steps back and
slows down for further introspection then forces you to listen closer to the
words. It is the perfectly crafted pop-rock track and it pays tribute to the
fab four nicely.
There are complex tracks such as “Thanks I Get” and
“Spinning ‘Round” that offer several layers of instrumentation and apexes of
sound that are remarkably entertaining and progressive. It shows a musician/songwriter
in his element bringing all of the talents he has to the forefront to create
virtual musical magic. If you can recall The Beatles album Rubber Soul and how they were changing and getting more complicated
with their presentations, then perhaps when you hear those two tracks and find parallels.
What I truly love about covering artists like Weiss is I
never forget. They leave me with a great impression and always touch base to
let me know there is some new music to enjoy.
It’s
About Time never disappoints, it is consistently solid
throughout, the words and music tell a story and it makes you want to hear it
all over again. It is funny how he says in the “Great Imitator” “If I wrote Hey
Jude, would they say it's too Beatley?” Well it works for me and I like the way
he slides that in there to remind you from whence he came. This is great
pop-rock album that deserves more than one spin.
4/5
Stars
Key Tracks: The Ugly Inside, I’m Your Fan, About
Time
Tracks:
01. The Ugly Inside
02. I'm Your Fan
03. Saccharin, Aspartame, Splenda, You, & Me
04. Sticky Thoughts
05. About Time
06. The Great Imitator
07. Thanks I Get
08. Spinning 'round
09. My Love Still Grows
Tracks:
01. The Ugly Inside
02. I'm Your Fan
03. Saccharin, Aspartame, Splenda, You, & Me
04. Sticky Thoughts
05. About Time
06. The Great Imitator
07. Thanks I Get
08. Spinning 'round
09. My Love Still Grows
Keith “MuzikMan”
Hannaleck-Write A Music Review Founder
June 23, 2015
Review
Provided By Write A Music
