Vinyl Soup: The Beacon Within

Vinyl Soup is a Nashville, Tennessee based psychedelic band made up of Andrew Hooker, on guitar and vocals; Justin McCoy Smith, on keyboards and vocals; Justin Tyler Smith, on bass and background vocals; and T. D., on drums and background vocals.

"Mr. Blue Shield" opens things up with a great satirical look at the state of the American health care system. Excellent start. Great music in the vein of Phish or at times even Dire Straits bluesy roll.

The Beatlesque, "Leave Me Alone" is another perfect track that will take you back in time.

"Let it Go" is a spacey, Mike and the Mechanics – like track that will make all prog fans happy.

"Mount Juliet Way" is full of great piano and some wonderful synthesizer at times.

However it wasn't until they got to "Reminding Us All", that I could finally compare the lead vocals and the band's sound with another classic band: namely The Smithereens. Yah, Vinyl Soup's lead singer is a great mix between Tom Petty and Pat DiNizio of the Smithereens. This track is more reggae than the Smithereens ever attempted.

"Corner Café" has a cool sitar sound mixed well with percussion opening that will lock you into the rhythm. A wild story set to soft melodies with organs, bass, and excellent drumming. Best and most original song on the album. Then it gets even better like the Doors' "Strange Days" meets Pink Floyd. Well worth the price of admission.

Great titles like "You Lived to see this Day" only make the listener want to hear tracks like this first. Good drum, bass, and acoustic guitar work. The organ fits the bill nicely.

"A New Me" is full of more great organ work than any song has a right to include. It will take you back in time to many places you will remember. I won't spoil it for you.

"Perspectives" closes the album strong and full of great piano, bass, lead electric guitar and drums. The lyrical content is a great look back and forward at the same time.

This was a great surprise to receive. Well worth your time and effort to find it. I want to hear more. I think you will too.

Track Listing:

1. Mr. Blue Shield
2. Leave Me Alone
3. Let it Go
4. What You Gave
5. Mount Juliet Way
6. Reminding Us All
7. The Roof
8. The World Stood Still
9. Corner Café
10. You Lived to see this Day
11. A New Me
12. Perspectives

Added: May 2nd 2013
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: www.vinylsoup.com
Hits: 1716
Language: english

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