Cliff Hillis “Many Happy Returns” EP
The reliable Cliff Hillis is back with his new EP, starting off with “Time An Evangelist,” a riff powered gem about the times we live in, where “a sad politician don’t know right from wrong/and every day he changes what side he’s on.” The catchy title track is another winner built from a steady rhythm, infectious melody, and smooth guitar solo at the break.
From there Cliff takes it down a notch to the understated blue-eyed soul on “Superfluous” and subtle pop of “With All The World” with its sweet horn section. The power pop comes back with “Never In A Million Years,” and while each song is perfectly fine, it doesn’t hit the highs of last years Make Love Not War. Still, an excellent EP worthy of purchase.
Richard X Heyman “Incognito”
One of power pop’s DIY pioneers Richard X Heyman continues his musical journey. At the same time Richard works with The Doughboys, his 11th solo album was being prepared. Unlike his semi-autobiographical double album Tiers, the musical focus here is primarily on short guitar melodies. The jangling psyche-pop opener “Incognito” is a mood piece with some nice layered rhythms. Next, “A Fool’s Errand” is a great Heyman original, very much like his past solo work.
Heyman doesn’t rush things, and his craftsmanship is what sets him apart from other indie musicians. A multitude of bouncy, interesting songs are standouts; “And Then” utilizes Heyman’s skillful harmonies and Motown-influenced “So What” has its playful horn flourishes. And when it comes to solid pop-rock check out “Her Garden Path,” “Lift” and “Terry Two-Timer”. Like many veteran artists, he thinks about aging (“Miss Shenandoah Martin”) and political dysfunction (“Everybody Get Wise”). Overall a good representative of Heyman’s work and highly recommended.
