Search - Ashton Allen :: Dewdrops

Mellow album from newcomer Aston Allen

R. Gorham | 01/11/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"THE BAND: Aston Allen (acoustic & electric guitars, bass, piano, organ), Shannon Forrest (drums), Ilya Toshinsky (lead guitar, banjo, mandolin), and assorted players on violin, viola, cello, trombone, trumpet and french horn.



THE DISC: (2005) 14 tracks clocking in at approximately 50 minutes. A 6-page booklet includes song lyrics, band members and thank you's. All songs written by Allen. Label - Livewire.



COMMENTS: While this is good mellow music... it did not reach out and grab me as I had hoped it would. Allen's vocals are breathy - and he doesn't fluctuate much from there. He always seems like he's in the same mood, using the same tone. In hind sight, I wish he'd sing with a little more conviction - like the way a young Paul McCartney or Bob Dylan would do on some of their early acoustic songs. When I first heard the album, I could picture Allen singing his songs next to Phoebe Buffay at the local coffee house on "Friends". Allen's music fits into that safe adult contemporary lite-FM venue. Many similarities to Elliot Smith, Peter Yorn, Howie Day, early CSNY, even John Mayer, Coldplay or an acoustic Oasis. It's non-threatening music... the kind you might find in an elevator or a dentist's office some day. Allen is an accomplished musician and artist. He writes a nice song and plays many an instrument. He is most apt at his guitar. Several songs are strictly voice and acoustic guitar ("Dewdrops", "Every Hour Of The Day", "Prodigal Son"). Track 6 features Allen on piano with his voice matching the strokes on piano... probably my least favorite song here. The best songs are when the whole band is playing, complete with strings and horns... relaxed and unhurried in every way, filled with lush tones, thoughtful and smart lyrics, just beautiful melodies ("Better Than I Know", "Counting The Cost", "Steven's Song", "Something To Say"). Over all a decent debut - looking foward to hearing what his next few albums sound like... and, hoping on some songs he steps outside the box a bit. If you like songs rich and soft in quality, then this album is for you."

WOW!

T. C. Hummel | London, UK | 10/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The lyrics, the new original music, the voice...wow! What else can I say? I'm so glad I bought this CD and hope to find more by this artist in the future. Is there mailing list I can get on?"

Very Good

EndMusicSnobbery | Atlanta GA - US | 12/21/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One of my favorites of the year. Smart songwriting, nice melodies. Comparisons to other artists (Smith, Drake, etc) are warranted and time will tell if Allen measures up to those guys.



Buy it. You'll like it. I swear."