Tag: Eytan Mirsky

Eytan Mirsky, You’re Among Friends, and Jim Trainor

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Eytan Mirsky

Eytan Mirsky “All Over the Map”

Eytan Mirsky is my favorite self-deprecating troubadour. And ‘All Over The Map’ is among his best works, beginning with the appealing “Did What I Came to Do,” where his only purpose is to make his lover smile. Next, “Apologize in Advance” is very much in the Nick Lowe mode of honky-tonk pop about his poor behavior. Both “Inside Job” and “Two Piece Puzzle” make excellent use of metaphor, but “Almost Didn’t Cry” is probably Eytan’s best ballad ever. The song takes a sincere approach to depression and is melodically effective. “The Satisfaction” is another excellent ballad. Other standouts include the upbeat “My Little Tricycle,” which is perhaps the only auto song about three-wheelers (such as the Polaris Slingshot) I’ve heard, and “Lost You in the Jet Stream,” which is loaded with aero-centric language. Naturally, this comes highly recommended.

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You're Among Friends

You’re Among Friends “As Normalcy Slips Away”

You’re Among Friends (Anthony Doran, Kevin Trask, and Mike Janowitz) are a Cleveland-based trio who specialize in quirky casual pop and have impressive musicianship. Fans of jam bands will like that YAF incorporates melody into its weaving baselines and jazzy beats. Highlights include the sardonic songs “There’s Nothing Left Here” and “Forced to Act It Out.” And this band doesn’t just play by the numbers; “Move On With What You’ve Got” features an interesting reggae groove. Hey, it’s a free download, so check them out.

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Jim Trainor

Jim Trainor “Listening To Understand”

Jim Trainor is letting his melodic freak flag fly here. “Nothing” is loaded with great hooks, and “Always Been You” unfolds like a lively conversation between friends. Added highlights include “I Don’t Wanna Be,” and “Must Be Love.” At the album’s midpoint Jim gets adventurous with some jazz and boogie stylings on “Another Sucker” and “Better Than You Do.” When he opens up on these tunes emotionally, the songs soar, and his message hits its stride. A few misfires, but without a doubt this is highly recommended.

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May singles: Mason Lowe, The Half-Cubes, Librarians With Hickeys, K. Campbell, The Odds, Eytan Mirsky

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April showers bring May flowers. Well, it certainly has been showering music.  We start with the fuzzy rock of Mason Lowe, who’s got a new album coming out soon and this little song is called “Plastered.” The Flashcubes (Gary Frenay, Tommy Allen, etc) teamed up with Bob Pernice (Pernice Brothers) to form the Half-Cubes as they cover the “Weakest Shade of Blue.” I was very impressed with Librarians With Hickeys‘ jangling gem  “Can’t Wait ‘Till Summer” and I agree with the sentiment. Another strong jangling performance is “Neil & Joni” written, performed, and recorded by K. Campbell in Houston, Texas with backing vocals by Mandy Kim Clinton. It has been ages since I’ve heard Canadian power pop legends The Odds. It seems a kinder, gentler band emerged with all that maturity. Finally, our FREEBIE today is brought to us by the earnest singer-songwriter Eytan Mirsky. I guess he’s been thinking about sexy flight attendants in “Lost You in the Jet Stream.” ENJOY!





Eytan Mirsky and Ex Norwegian

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Eytan Mirsky

Eytan Mirsky “Lord, Have Mirsky!”

Eytan has been a master storyteller and on “I Don’t Wanna Brag” Eytan’s self-deprecating persona gets a needed boost of confidence. It’s a simple, low-key start to the album, but on “Half Hearted” he breaks out the hooks and brass, and it’s another Mirsky classic. About a girl who can’t get over a former lover, and can’t commit to a relationship. It’s uncommon to hear this from the male POV. “The Waiting Is the Easiest Part” is a lyrical nod to Petty, but the sincerity is what is so endearing.

“Don’t Be Afraid” is another plea to commitment, and stop playing “those silly games” and some great slide guitar rounds out the melody. This theme is present in several songs, and Eytan brings it all together, notably on “What Took You So Long.”

“It’s Alright to be Alone” is a great reassuring blues tune for the dude to “take some time to clear your mind.” “Your Getting On Me” is a power-pop gem that blasts out with handclaps and a sweet guitar solo. “Smart to Be Stupid” is a father’s advice to his son about not elevating an argument, and playing “dumb” in some situations. Overall, a very entertaining album, but if you have any issues Eytan tells critics in “Watching From The Balcony,” where he notes “if I don’t entertain you, you don’t have to watch this show.” But you’ll want to. Highly Recommended

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Ex-Norwegian

Ex-Norwegian “Spook Du Jour”

The trio of Roger Houdaille, Michelle Grand, and Giuseppe Rodriguez is back as Ex-Norwegian. Spook Du Jour continues their vague neo-glam pop with solid classic influences. “Teen Bakery” chugs along with an echoing beat as “Vicious Cycles” and “Paging Lisa” feel like updated Kinks tunes for the new century. The emotional “Ciancia” has a loose composition with its cavernous approach, and “Burn It” boasts another catchy chorus with a sweet guitar break. 

The arty post-punk style of “Thot Patrol” takes over mid-way through the album and lingers. The Berlin-era Bowie influences are visible on “For Your Conveniences,” “Crazy Paving,” and “Fresh ATM,” and while very good, it doesn’t have the hooks we heard earlier on. Still, this remains an album that deserves to be heard and enjoyed. Check it out.

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Eytan Mirsky and Field Music

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“Golden

Eytan Mirsky “Funny Money”

Eytan Mirky has long been a strong writer of pop songs that explore insecurity and hopeless love. Starting with “I’m Gonna Fight It” its got a bluesy hook that recalls a small scale Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe or Jonathan Richman about the everyman struggles with a “one true love.” The laid back pop smarts of “Somebody Played A Joke on Me” is almost like a Jimmy Buffet hit single, with a sweet guitar break by Jon Gordon. Its about small victories, as he tells a friend “You Got It Made” and recognizing the wrong girl in “I Saw Something In You.” Even tender ballads like “Watching Dawson’s Creek” are great, as it relates an old relationship to an old TV show. In a rare moment, “Good Hair Day” is an uncharacteristically happy and buoyant song that urges you to seize the day. These are all solid gems and most of these songs hit the mark. Super highly recommended.

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“Golden

Field Music “Commontime”

Field Music has never been a band that grabs your attention immediately, but the clinical musicianship mixed with nerd quirkiness shows occassional flashes of genius. The brothers David and Peter Brewis seem intent on experimenting here. The opener “The Noisy Days are Over” is a great microcosm of the band as a whole, with inventive percussive effects, a solid melody and a grand theme. You will hear influences from David Bowie, Todd Rundgren and the Talking Heads. “Disappointed” is a funky single that sounds like a lost 80’s classic, and the deliberate horn flourishes and piano melody on “But Not For You” bring to mind Steely Dan in its prime. “I’m Glad” has a warped time signature that few can make a single from. But its the meticulousness of their melodic structure that have won over a small cult of audiophiles. Some great examples include “They Want You To Remember” and “Indeed It Is.” The album could have used some editing, but overall its a rare treat. Highly Reccomended.

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