Bleu “Sargeant Pepper Grinder”
Bleu McAuley has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, finding mainstream success as a singer, composer, and producer while working with artists including KT Tunstall, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, etc. His commercial work is impressive, but his solo power pop is where Bleu gets to be playful, unpredictable, and completely himself. He also has a knack for creating musical magic when he pairs with a female vocalist, and longtime collaborators Kelly Jones and Carly Paige are both perfectly suited to the job.
On this new concept album, Bleu looks beyond the veil to communicate with his late friend Ducky Carlisle, the Boston-based drummer, recording engineer, and producer who died in October 2023 at age 64. Opening with the voice of his son, Bleu and Mike Gent introduce us to Ducky, his collection of snares, and the other musical treasures scattered around his basement. It all leads into the album’s main single, “Start a Band,” a catchy melody that captures his humor and enthusiasm. “This Song Won’t Sell” offers one of the album’s best examples of tonal whiplash. Dense, loud emo-inspired chords suddenly give way to a quiet verse built around the admission, “I’m not supposed to write slow songs ’cause they don’t sell.” “Where the Colors Bleed,” is another highlight, with Carly Paige in a beautifully balanced duet that confronts Ducky’s eccentricities while coming to terms with a complicated life. Bleu eventually turns the focus toward himself with “Deathbed,” looking back on his own life and closes with the big, bombastic “I’m Not Dead,” a reminder that Bleu still has time to live, create, and find the silver lining. Bleu turns the grief over his friend’s death into something deeply personal without losing his sense of fun. Highly Recommended.
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Steve Robinson & Ed Woltil “Temporary Sun”
North Carolina duo Steve Robinson & Ed Woltil return with another collection of richly textured baroque folk-pop. With able assistance from Dave Gregory (XTC) and Dave Mattacks (Fairport Convention,) they hit the ground running with the catchy “I Won’t Let Go.” The layered harmonies and beautifully constructed arrangement make it an immediate standout.
“Outrun the Sun” takes a more reflective turn, telling an intriguing story about confronting the past, with exceptional guitar work adding to its emotional weight. Steve and Ed’s weathered, comforting vocals fit perfectly on “Learn You by Heart,” a song about making the most of the time left in a mature life. There’s plenty of reflection here, but the album isn’t weighed down by it. The hopeful “Perfect Day” and “Squint” provide welcome bursts of optimism.“The Man with the Interrupted Heart” is quirky and fun, chronicling an aging lothario with clever lyrical analogies and a sly sense of humor. The songwriting is strong, and the musicianship is consistently impressive. Highly Recommended.
