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Once again, a singer/songwriter
emerges from out of the shadows (in this case, New York State's
Hudson Valley), to offer up a contemporary recording with a
decidedly retrospective/traditional feel. The DON LEWIS BAND is
such a musical act and BETWEEN THE LINES is such a recording. It
is the kind of music that brings people together because it
acknowledges the very traditional roots rock/pop-rock foundation
from whence it came, dispensing sounds and moods that lend
themselves to reflection, reverie and realization. In short,
BETWEEN THE LINES is music for just about anyone, anywhere, and
at anytime.
Guitar infused pop-rock, with the
driving rhythm of a jam band sums up the basic sound of the DON
LEWIS BAND. Artists such as Jackson Browne, Bon Jovi and
Matchbox Twenty are flatteringly imitated and approximated on
the tracks “Wasted Time”, “She Cries” and Drama Queen”
– in that very order. Vocally, I find Don Lews to be somewhat
of a cross between Ken Block of Sister Hazel, Adam Duritz of the
Counting Crows and John Mellancamp. He has a quiet, yet
considered approach to lyrical phrasing, and it is a style which
lends itself perfectly to the honest emotional revelations
within this release.
“Because of You”, a song with
catchy refrains and intriguing chord structures, is followed by
“Believe” with a slowed down, quiet and countrified stance.
Moments such as these are enjoyable once you find them, and the
70’s AOR guitar lines and backbeats that complement songs like
“Hold Me Now” and “When … (Love is All)” are arranged
with energetic guitar breaks and propelling vocals. The bridges
within these tracks are open and made available for bold, upbeat
harmonizing, reminding me of Aerosmith-lite, and (even) 38
Special.
This is a pretty good recording,
nothing earth-shattering, but good enough. The care and
consideration that obviously went into this recording is quite
evident, and the fact that there are an additional ten (10)
tracks (taken from earlier releases) gives the listener the
opportunity to explore much of the catalog from The DON LEWIS
BAND. You’ll have to decide for yourself if that is a ‘plus’
or a ‘minus’.
But, if you’re looking for
something comfortable and decent, with an easy-going pop rock
feel and plenty of mellow sounds, then this one’s for you.
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| Artist |
Don Lewis Band |
| Title |
Between the Lines |
| Label |
Squashed
Mosquito Records |
| Reviewer |
Roxanne Blanford |
| Rating |
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| web site |
www.donlewisband.com |
| win stuff |
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