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| Review: ''All The Way From Allen St'' |
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 The Memorial Day hangover is gone, the sunburn is peeling and I finally got some writing done - though un-blocking felt like pulling my own teeth. Please excuse the non-sequiturs.
I've been listening to Reagan?'s "All The Way From Allen St." for over a week now and this record is getting under my skin. The music's light, airy and a soothing soundtrack for a summer that's finally in bloom. Click "Read More" for the review.The Praise
In my Random Review dated April 13th, I wrote of reagan?'s song "Free" that :
"reagan? serves up an unadulterated and refreshing innocence that quenches my thirst for organic melody without additives or preservatives. The delivery and performance seem so natural and effortless as to suggest singer Sarah Lynn Brosch is singing to herself in the privacy of her own bedroom as the music surrounds her like a cozy blanket ...Not since the advent of Edie Brickell and The New Bohemians has pop music seemed so Girl-Next-Door and Naturally Sweet.'
Much of the same can be said for the rest of "All The Way From Allen St." Reagan?'s sophomore release. The lyrics seem to capture moments of quiet reflection from a girl who's discovering some hard truths about the world in her search for a self; relationships (both interpersonal and societal), time and our very purpose are questioned in Brosch's well-written lyrics.
Reagan?'s music has a simplicity and ease that makes you feel like going for a long quiet walk, perhaps to reflect on your life's wonders. But the delivery is so casual it doesn't demand anything from you, but rather allows you to just let it be and go about your business. The overall performance is tight enough to work, but loose enough to breathe.
The Punch
"Just give me a moment to sit here, reflect and drink you in.." sings Brosch in Symphony #9. You get the feeling she does a lot of that. By the time you've imbibed ten tracks of her sweet, thoughtful poetry you're more than ready to hear somebody let loose with a gut-wrenching howl - if only for contrast and balance.
At some point I wished Brosch would shelve the girlish cooing and hit me hard, straight from her gut (particularly in "Untitled" and "Vegetarian Police" ). While I wouldn't question the sincerity of her "dear-diary" lyrical style, the emotional depth of the performance overall is only ankle deep. Brosch doesn't venture our of her comfort-zone long enough to demonstrate that she has emotions beyond quiet contemplation.
A variety of off-the-shelf guitar tones (particularly in "Vegetarian Police", "Forever", and the guitar intro to "Free" ) have a slightly grating effect when they emerge above the rest of the mix and draw your ear away from the song. The manic strumming throughout most of the CD can also wear on the nerves (particularly on "Forever"). As my buddy Junior G would say, "There's-a-lots -a-jangling goin' on 'round here."
The Conclusion
There are some inspired moments on this CD, both in the lyrics
('...homeless man looking out to sea, trying to collect on his ambition. But thoughts that have no house have no room...'- from "Untitled")
and the arrangements (the bridge to "Lust and Fame" comes to mind). But the best example of songwriting and arrangement coming together is
"Symphony #9"..
Though I appreciate Sarah Brosch's refreshing innocence and the light touch of her gentle voice, I find myself wondering what she might sound like when she's clutching the pillow with both fists, screaming for the ecstasy or reeling from the agony (corruption craves the company of the innocent, don't you know?). Another year in the music business should cure her of any remaining virtues. ; )
"All The Way From Allen St." is a nice collection of songs (emphasis on nice) and a solid release. It's not demanding in the way you're used to being accosted by popular music; it's more like background music for liberal daydreaming. "Lilith Lite" for the freshman psyche major, if you will. And it's seems to be one of those records that you like a little more each time you listen - and listen a little closer the more you like it.
- Mitch
P.S. June 2nd - For what it's worth, woke up with the chorus to "Untitled" running through my head and if felt good and right for a Sunday morning. Occassionally it takes time for good music to reveal it's worth to you.
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