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June 2008
Lake Worth, Florida
The Sun, Clouded Over
Keith Michaud
The follow-up track, "Ribbons", is a brisk alt-country number with a memorable chorus; it moves so sprightly, it actually seems shorter than it really is. Following closely on its heels is "Happy Birthday, BTW", which, despite its unassuming nature, is the best track of the CD. The lyrics capture the angst of the singer-songwriter plying his trade to a pub audience that may or may not be paying attention: "This bittersweet ending/To another night of singing/For a crowd that only hears/But doesn't have the time to listen/To the words". Along with its vivid descriptions of drinking in after-hours bars ("I can see my sadness/In the reflections off the glasses/That are cluttering up this table/Till I'm literally unable/To remove myself from my chair") the song is intriguing enough to be forgiven the instant-message acronym in its title.
To describe an acoustic-guitar ballad as Dylanesque is almost a cliche, but "Mirrorframes" (previously recorded on Summer Blanket's debut CD, Charm Wrestling) certainly owes a large debt to Mr. Zimmerman's classic "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right". But surely Dylan would be happy with lyrics such as "I'm putting mirrors into all our picture frames/ So you can see yourself right now".
The track "Drowning Fish" is a gentle lilting ballad with a delicate keyboard accompaniment and a vivid violin solo by Susan Sherouse. The following track, "The Moon Has Lost Its Touch" has a lightly bluesy feel, with lots of guitar fills and a piano accompaniment.
On the track "A Pirate's Life" Michaud takes a rare lyrical mis-step. Pirate cliches abound, with lots of references to Jolly Rogers, the sea chanty from Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, peg legs and a message in a bottle. But the purpose of assembling all these usual suspects is never really clear, and the song eventually moves into an instrumental conclusion.
The eight-track CD wraps up with the organ-heavy ballad "Gossamer". The lyrics of the verses focus on disorientation whereas the chorus seems to offer hope. But this note of optimism is undercut by the ominous guitar riff running throughout the track, in addition to the aforementioned pull-out-all-the-stops organ accompaniment.
It could be argued that this CD, produced by South Florida artist John Ralston (now signed to Vagrant Records) is stronger in its first half. But overall the album is a worthwhile listening experience, especially when paying attention to Michaud's lyrics, which is his strong suit.
For further information on this artist, please refer to http://www.myspace.com/keithmichaud
The Lotus Eaters The First Picture of You (1983) video link
This British New Wave band never made a splash in the U.S. but in 1983 this song (their debut single) made to #1 in their home country. This song is a haunting piece of '80s Britpop in the vein of Spandau Ballet and The Dream Academy
Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince Summertime (1991)
The most laid-back of Will Smith's early rap grooves, and highly evocative of urban teenage summer nights.
Seals & Croft Summer Breeze (1972)
Showcasing the quieter side of summer, this introspective ballad captures the essence of winding down after a hard day's work during a quiet summer evening
Sly & The Family Stone Hot Fun In The Summertime (1969)
Nothing says summer like a backyard barbecue, and no song feels more like the musical version of such an occasion than this brassy funk number with its '50s-style piano rhythm
Aug./Sept 2007
June/July 2007
May 2007 [Inaugral Issue]
Feb./Mar. 08
Jan. 08