Brilliant, Thoughtful Music
Prowler | West Hollywood, CA United States | 07/10/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Remember when lyrics used to mean something? Remember the days when the tunes would catch you and you'd just *have* to sing along? This is one of those discs. Adult contemporary in all of the good ways -- well composed, well performed, lyrics that mean something. Try "One of the Good Guys." You may also recognize "Next Year" from a New Year's Eve episode of "Friends.""
West on Sunset Would Land You in the Pacific Ocean
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 01/25/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
""East On Sunset" landed Kevin Henry a Los Angeles award as best male vocal of the year. His CD is original, has depth, and works well most of the time. The addictive opening track "Space" is bubbly folk-rock with a catchy chorus and the interesting lyric, "love can be such a whore." Henry gives a full-throated vocal, part moan, to get a different sound on "Easier to Go." What would it sound like if a techno band headlined in Vegas? Hard to imagine? Listen to "Nothing Matters," a quick-paced romp, for a clue. Henry and band use a booming wall-of-sound approach on "Torch," "I was your world before, but I'm not wanted anymore." "I Don't Mind" is a slow meandering tune that almost works. "One of the Good Guys" is a beautiful slow loping tune with the curious touch of what sounds like a hyperactive percussionist banging away on assorted rat-a-tap instruments. While the percussion & the tune seem to be from different songs, it's an interesting mix. "Intruder" is a free-form jazz samba that asks the profound question "Do you believe in Jesus?" [Deed I do! :)] "Angel Song" is one of the tracks you can buy this CD for. It's slow, intensely beautiful melody has great lyrics like, "Sometimes your light burns out before you're able," and "stumbling past salvation." "New Yorker Sells Out" is a whimsical bop with the insight only a New Yorker living in L.A. would offer, "I could've bought a potted palm." "29 Palms" is a pretty little desert town. It's also a lounge tune in search of a melody on "East on Sunset." Perhaps wishing to be John Coltrane if he were a folk singer, Henry laments, "something pure has changed, you tear your heart out yet again." "Next Year" is a great New Year's song complete with a chorus from Auld Lang Syne, a light pop melody that sounds almost carbonated. The hidden track not listed on my inserts I will call "Beautiful," is Henry sounding a lot like a lost track from a David Gray release. This CD is great because it is adventurous. Henry and band push the envelope, try new things, most of which work. If he went west on Sunset instead of East, he'd be in the Pacific Ocean. This guy's not all wet, certainly worth a listen with a few near-classic tunes."
An amazing singer/songwriter not to be missed!
D. Mailloux | Boston, MA | 11/09/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's hard to believe someone like Kevin Henry doesn't belong to a major label. This album is an absolute treasure!The introductory Dave Matthews-esque track, "Space," captures you instantly with its catchy (albeit far too brief) lyrics and melody. From there, you are transported through all sorts of heart ache in ballads like "Easier To Go" and "Torch" (while sandwiched in between is the remixed dance pop of "Nothing Matters"). And, of course, it doesn't stop there... other songs you'll definitely want to check out are "Angel Song" and "New Yorker Sells Out," the latter which epitomizes funky progressive pop/rock and the former, a heart-wrenching ballad of gorgeous proportions. The rest of the album, every song in between, stays with you for one reason or another, crossing over genres and captivating you with lyrics of depth and beauty and precision. The CD ends with "Next Year," an amazing song that you may recognize from the New Years episode of "Friends" in 1999 (the one when Joey kisses Elle Macpherson).While the production on this album isn't perfect, the songs most certainly, most DEFINITELY are. Not since hearing Carole King's "Tapestry" can I truly say that I've heard another album like "East On Sunset" where every song captures you in one way or another. And if you aren't haunted by his amazing baritone voice after listening to this release, you certainly need to go back to your Justin Timberlake records because you aren't worthy of the wonder and amazement that is Kevin Henry."
