Veteran power pop legend Richard X. Heyman heads in a new direction on the massive 31 song pop opera Tiers And Other Stories. First, don’t expect the same ol’ RXH three minute gems of the past. This is a deliberate and eclectic concept album that acts as a biography in 2 acts. Act One (Tiers) are songs about Richard’s relationship with his wife Nancy Leigh and how it’s shaped him into the man we know today. Starting with the understated “Hot On The Trail of Innocence” it’s an appropriate overture to the journey. The piano led “Golden in This Town” is filled with soulful optimism and a real standout. From there we have some other musical experiments; “Good To Go” is a country tune that accurately puts forth RXH’s view “I’m getting tired of the same old, same old.”
Some of these tracks to resemble musical scenes of a play, “Last Thought In My Mind” and “Horizon” remind me of Passing Strange meets Warren Zevon. A spirited piano solo lifts “Fire In The Country,” and “One Thing I Still Have” has a great chorus, but other tracks here don’t stick as well. However,”Everyone’s Moving In The Wrong Direction” is an impressive ballad that showcases Heyman’s songwriting skills. Act Two (Other Stories) focuses on life in New York City, and things are less linear. You do get the impression that RXH is conducting mini symphonies here (Aaron Copland’s influence is clear) but until we get to the excellent “Branded In The Sky” it doesn’t always resonate. More standouts here are the wistful “The Day Before Tomorrow” and his tribute to Doughboy guitarist Willy Kirchofer on “When Willy Played Guitar.” Each disc has it’s share of great tracks, experiments and impressions – fans will want to wade in deep, newcomers may want to start with Basic Glee.
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