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DVDfever.co.uk – The Brilliant Mistakes: Distant Drumming CD reviewElly Roberts reviews
Aunt Mimis Records
- Released: Out now
- Rating: 6/10
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 tboot.
Alan Walkers 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 2s playlist, and by far the albums 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 Lets 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 :
1. The Day I Found My Hands
2. Monday Morning (Sky Above You)
3. Becoming
4. Good Year For A Change
5. The Circles Not Broken
6. Water Falling Down
7. The Words
8. Time in The Night
9. Lets Pretend
10. Wake Up Your Heart
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.