CD Reviews

By: North County Times - | Wednesday, March 9, 2005 2:11 PM PST ∞

Jazz, Rock

LOCAL

A+ "Travel by Stars"

Will Faeber

Topless Records

A "Jumping In"

Michael Tiernan

Still Listening Productions

Two new releases show not only that the singer-songwriter school of music is in fine shape, but that San Diego's music scene remains a vital, creative environment.

The new CD from Solana Beach's Will Faeber, "Travel by Stars," has the same easy, ultrasmooth jazz-rock elan that made Boz Scaggs' 1970s recordings such gems of intimate storytelling.

Possessed of a similarly smooth-but-distinctive voice as Scaggs, and surrounded by a stellar cast including local faves such as guitarist Peter Sprague, bassist Bob Magnusson, reedman Trip Sprague, drummer Duncan Moore and keyboardist Barnaby Finch, Faeber's 12 self-penned songs provide a sophisticated slice of life with a golden whiskey patina.

Full of gorgeous melodies, luxurious harmonies and tasty solos, songs like "It's Not the Moon That Cries," "Swept Away" and "Forty Days" would be hits if Faeber could just find a time machine and show up circa 1976 when radio was still friendly to smart, addictive little songs.

Short of that, those with a soft spot for intelligent, passionate songs played with style and panache ought to indulge themselves.

If Faeber's timeless elegance hearkens back to an earlier time, Del Mar's Michael Tiernan is wholly in the here and now. Like Faeber, Tiernan writes his own music and performs it with similar instrumentation ---- guitar, bass, drums.

But the sound is completely different in both attitude and sound. Tiernan's singing and arrangements both draw heavily on alternative rock sounds and influences. There's an almost-minor sound to many of the compositions on his new album, "Jumping In."

While edgy and moody, Tiernan's music is still anchored solidly with beautiful melodies and warm harmonies. His new songs have that instant familiarity that the best tunes all seem to possess. And his voice, which seems to range from a midbaritone to a low tenor, is equally as warm.

The result of all of this is an accessible album with both pop and alternative strands that is eminently listenable and fun. It's as good as anything the major labels are issuing, offering yet another argument that the labels are becoming irrelevant to the music business.

Michael Tiernan performs with friends Sven-Erik Seaholm, the Coyote Problem, Crash Carter, Dennis Bergstrom; 4 p.m. March 13; Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach; $5; (858) 481-8140.

---- Jim Trageser

Staff Writer

POP/ROCK

"In Between Dreams"

Jack Johnson

Brushfire/Universal

It's hard to see evolution in Jack Johnson, that 29-year-old Hawaiian surfer turned musician. But it's there in the undercurrents of his third album, "In Between Dreams" ---- an honest maturity from an otherwise suave island hipster.

His songs are still a mix of lazy day laments fueled by sensibilities from a Pacific paradise. Like the albums before it, Johnson's funky rhythms on an acoustic guitar accompany lyrics that flow with mix-master timing ---- it's G. Love's groove with Ben Harper's soul.

But songs such as "Banana Pancakes" and "Better Together" speak of affairs with an unrushed appreciation for the moment. His voice rarely rises above a melodic whisper when he sings about a girl, always that girl, and a summertime romance that dies when another day begins.

The standout exception is "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing."

A soulful groove with a heavy base line, Johnson bemoans the games of waiting for a woman to see the signs of his interest. (Must be typical for island boys chasing those vacation girls with so much to do.)

Like the Beach Boys and California surf culture, Johnson's knack lies in his ability to harness Hawaii, a culture far away from the melee of the mainland, and make it appealing to those who know nothing of it.

In fact, Johnson is arguably a side-shot from his surf rock predecessors. But his music is nothing like those bands whose fascination with an untamable surf made for wild guitar solos.

Johnson's schtick is quite different: He makes being mellow cool once again.

---- Ryan Lenz

Associated Press

B+ "Nightbird"

Erasure

Mute Records

Erasure's synth-pop melodies are as contagious as a cold on a rush-hour subway.

The duo of Andy Bell and Vince Clarke has been Erasure since the 1980s, with hits that include "Oh L'Amour" and "Chains of Love." "Nightbird" ---- not named for a song on the CD but a reference to Bell's insomnia ---- is their first album of new material in seven years and contains 11 songs, all written by Bell and Clarke.

The set starts off strongly with "No Doubt" and "Here I Got Impossible Again," which have an airy, atmospheric aura that delivers listeners right back to the '80s. Following them is "Let's Take One More Rocket to the Moon," with its haunting, melodic chorus ("It's dawning, I'm gently falling, the rhythm of water and windows are white") that doesn't make much sense but sure sounds pretty.

"All This Time Still Falling Out of Love" is one of the thumpier cuts, a catchy techno-pop dance song. So, too, is "I'll Be There" ("We all make mistakes, I'm all over the place, but you know that I'll be there in the end").

"Because Our Love Is Real" is one of those songs whose hook sounds immediately familiar even though you know you've never heard it before. And, speaking of hooks, hang onto the one on "I Broke It All in Two" with its subtle backing vocals by Jill Walsh (who nicely backs several other tracks, too).

And "Sweet Surrender" is a smoothie with an intro that Abba would be proud of.

The songs aren't about much ---- love sought, found, lost, whatever ---- but their inventive melodies, friendly, toe-tapping rhythms and creative arrangements will burn them into your brain, where they will continue playing long after the CD is back in its jewel box.

Add Bell's appealing boy-next-door voice, and production as slick as a yellow raincoat and you have the recipe for 45 minutes of comfort food for the ears.

Erasure performs May 17 at 4th & B in San Diego.

---- Ron Berthel

Associated Press

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