It takes a few spins to understand, and it is one of this prolific singer's many, many recordings, but when you spend some quality time with You Know Me, it starts unraveling its secrets in ways that only a truly great recording can. "Any Heart" is pure power, with the band weaving textures around Jackie DeShannon's distinctive vocal, the guitar relentless as it sustains the wall of sound. A true labor of love, few artists can produce a song this strong, and the fact that it follows three equally powerful compositions is evidence of the majesty that sweeps across all 14 tracks. "Steal the Thunder" opens the album with authority – the resonating grandeur Eric Carmen's "Hungry Eyes" contained, with a better hook. DeShannon places everything in perfect order, the vocal gliding over a groove that is rock-solid. "Wing Ryder" changes the pace, and you get the idea that this major songwriter is building an album more complex than Carole King's Tapestry – sheer art for art's sake. It ebbs and flows with an elegance younger musicians are too impetuous to seek out. The keyboards and guitars in "Wing Ryder" fuse styles that Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles were employing.
Liam Gallagher’s third solo studio album C’MON YOU KNOW looks set to be one of the biggest album events of the year. Anticipation for the album was ignited with the lead single “Everything’s Electric,” which powered into the UK Top 20 as Liam’s biggest solo hit so far. Now Liam unleashes the album’s title track, “C’MON YOU KNOW” – featuring Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig on saxophone – which is out now on Warner Records. While “C’MON YOU KNOW” pulsates with the traits that have made Liam such an iconic figure – a raucous rock ‘n’ roll anthem topped by his signature snarl – it’s also a strong step forward in terms of both attitude and audio. Musically it’s layered with unexpected sonic touches: surging Motown-tinged gospel backing vocals, shrieking saxophone from Ezra Koenig, and vintage Moog synths heightening the sonic maelstrom.
Guthrie Govan, Bryan Beller and Marco Minnemann will release their new album this summer - the follow-up to 2015's Tres Caballeros.
With a new year comes new music; that’s where Ryan Chernin enters the scene with his debut EP, You Know Who You Are, out January 13. You Know Who You Are features six songs about “life, love, and loss” and is the product of a year’s worth of work. The mature songs, personal lyrics, and intricate instrumentals feel more like an exploration of self than a combination of songs. The further you get into You Know Who You Are, you feel like you have a better understanding of who Ryan Chernin is.