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Everything Broad Ripple HomearrowRandom Ripplings Homearrow2006 12 15arrowColumn

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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v03n25)
Rick On The Records - by Rick Zeigler
posted: Dec. 15, 2006

Rick on the Records header

Everthus The Deadbeats--Addicts Stuck in Traffic

Muncie-born band Everthus The Deadbeats have been performing around our area for a while, and now they have finally released their debut EP. I must admit that when I first saw a gig by the band, I was not that impressed. They put on quite a stage show, but I felt that this was probably to cover for a lack of musical ability and originality. Well, I am happy to say that the evidence on their CD proves me decisively wrong. Everthus knows their music. The arrangements on their self-described "freak-pop" tunes (Talking Heads are the closest comparison point) are uniformly excellent and inventive. John Muylle and Lisa Berlin tradeoff their vocal parts like pros, with Lisa sliding expertly in and out of the background. Also, the duo's distinctive keyboard lines interweave beautifully (something I could not hear at their club date). Guitarist Allen Bannister plays understated lines, but can come up with a beautiful solo when needed, as he does with a Pink Floydish approach on opening standout "Blackout". Benny (the only name given-like Bono?) provides a solid bass underpinning. And drummer Daniel Fahrner may be their secret weapon, as his inventive beats and fills perfectly complement every song. My only complaint would be Muylle's possible over-reliance on the "talk-sing" vocal approach of others in this genre (e.g., David Byrne), but this may be a mere personal bias. Muylle's lyrics certainly fit this approach, as on "She" when he spits out a list of non-sequiters ("She has a duck on a chain," "She's bilingual," "She dropped right out of law school") over a stuttering drum beat. The production must come in for a special mention, as the overall approach wisely leaves a lot of space in the songs instead of cluttering up every possible second with layered guitars, unnecessary keyboard lines, etc. The best complement I can give is that when the CD ended, I was disappointed-I wanted more. Hopefully, the band will shun the "Deadbeat" aspect of their moniker and deliver a full length in the near future.

Lindsey Buckingham--Under the Skin

Lindsey Buckingham's light-fingered guitar-work, high-pitched vocals, and hugely melodic songwriting helped propel the mid-70's incarnation of Fleetwood Mac to the highest highs of rock stardom, with Rumours selling over 20 million copies worldwide. After a 14-year absence, Buckingham returns with a new solo disc that contains his best work since that landmark album. Under The Skin is an almost wholly acoustic album, with the music consisting of nothing more than Buckingham's impressive acoustic guitar, his voice, and assorted percussive flavorings (one song does see him joined by the Fleetwood Mac rhythm section). While his voice can't quite stretch as high as in his younger days, it is still a marvelously expressive instrument. And his acoustic guitar stylings confirm him as one of the best guitarists of his generation. Opening with lightning fast acoustic picking and breathy vocals, "Not Too Late" is a mature reflection on growing older, with a glorious chorus and stunning middle eight. Also, there is unintended irony in the opening lyric, "Reading the paper saw a review/ Said I was a visionary, but nobody knew," since the blurb on the shrinkwrap proclaims Buckingham as a "musical visionary". Following this are eight more beautiful originals, as well as a brilliant cover of the Rolling Stones "I Am Waiting" (from Aftermath) and Donovan's "To Try For The Sun." Throughout, Buckingham keeps it soft and simple, but the production of what is essentially an acoustic folk album takes a number of unusual detours, all of which add immensely to the pleasure on offer here. For example, the title track sees Buckingham offering a gorgeous acoustic ballad backed by a metronome ticking out of time with the tune. Other songs see echo-laden overlapping or multi-tracked vocal lines conjuring up ghostly images and feelings. Indeed, as spare as the production is, its occasional odd touches recall the experimentation of Fleetwood Mac's Tusk album. The only thing missing is the cutting electric lead guitar lines that Buckingham employed throughout his Fleetwood Mac days. We shouldn't have long too wait, however-Buckingham is slated to make a full-band rock album in 2007. If it's as good as this one, the career resurgence of this "musical visionary" will be completely confirmed.



Rick Zeigler, along with his wife, Jeanne, owns Indy CD and Vinyl at 806 Broad Ripple Avenue. Back in his musician days, his band opened for the likes of U2, XTC, Gang Of Four, The Pretenders, Los Lobos, and, um, Flock Of Seagulls, among others. You can read all of Rick's reviews at www.indycdandvinyl.com. Email your music questions and comments to rick@BroadRippleGazette.com




rick@broadripplegazette.com
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