Davis, Jed: The Cutting Room Floor

Jed Davis is a singer/songwriter from New York City and has been involved with the local New York music scene for a number of years. Starting with solo performances of coffeehouses, Davis has played in a number of bands including Collider, The Hanslick Rebellion, Skyscape and Jeebus. His new album The Cutting Room Floor has been a work in progress since 1999 but was finally released on Sept 21, 2010, even though it was finished in 2006. The album was mixed by Tony Doogan and produced by Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips) and according to Davis both were integral in the album seeing the light of day.

The Cutting Room Floor is a solid album of alternative flavoured pop and rock songs. Davis has crafted ten melodic songs that are just quirky enough to stay ahead of the pack in a crowded genre of music that has no shortage of bands. At times Davis reminds me of a younger Elvis Costello as some songs have that punky attitude that is so attributable to late 70s Costello. Davis also proves to be a fine lyricist with a wry sense of humour. Whether he is prosecuting small town Americana or recalling a lost love gone by, his words are worth hearing.

It all starts with the moody title track, a keyboard laden number with Davis' charming voice heard above the electronic soundscape. "Before I Was Born" begins with the melody of Bill Wither's "Lean On Me" before morphing into a melodic punk rock assault of pseudo reggae rhythms and poppy hooks. The alternative sounding "Enough" recalls Elvis Costello in voice and music, infusing melodic piano into its charming pop sound. Davis' sense of humour comes through clearly in "Denny's 3A.M.", a quirky tune steeped in melodic keys and guitar recalling Argy Bargy era Squeeze. The balladic "Native Son" has Davis seeing red as he gives a scathing diatribe of life in a small town. His loathing is palpable as he sings "Don't call me your native son/I never lived in this town/I wasn't alive till I left this place behind." The bitterness continues as he goes on to sing "Don't pat me on the back/Don't try to shake my hand/Don't act like you knew it all along." Gentle keyboards and poignant lead guitar highlight the bittersweet ballad "I Have A Rose" and the eclectic pop/rock of "Queens Is Where You Go When You're Dead" ends the album on a melodic high.

I enjoyed The Cutting Room Floor. As far as pop albums are concerned you can consider this one a winner.

Track Listing:
1. The Cutting Room Floor
2. Before I was Born
3. Enough
4. Let Go
5. Blood
6. Denny's 3A.M.
7. Interesting Times
8. Native Son
9. I Have A Rose
10. Queens Is Where You Go When You're Dead

Added: September 27th 2010
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 1665
Language: english

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