As a change of pace, power pop icon Richard X. Heyman puts on his garage/bar band hat and with the rest of the Doughboys (Mike Caruso, Bass – Gar Francis & Willy Kirchofer, guitars – Myke Scavone, vocals and percussion) and play classic rock a la Kinks. Through the grit of Scavone’s vocals is a classic rock and roll sound, and the tell tale hooks on Heyman’s penned “Why Can’t She See Me?” are a welcome treat here. Scavone does some excellent Mick Jagger styled blues on “Carmalina” and the Animals-styled “It’s Alright” are just a few of the gems here. The tinkle of the piano and saxophones on “Queen City” are fun to listen to, but the songwriting on Heyman’s tracks match the band’s bar room sound with equal intensity on “I’m That Kind Of Man.” For more muscle listen to the awesome “I’m Not Your Man” and Gar Francis’ hot guitar licks. Contributors include engineering work by Kurt Reil (The Gripweeds) and Ed Stasium (Ramones, Smithereens). The band has been around for years doling out heavily muscled bar tunes, and now the melody is front and center. Very nice.
