Search - Mike Plume Band :: Fools for the Radio

With Love From a Fredhead

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 11/13/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Mike Plume Band is one of Canada's great secrets. On their fifth recording which follows "Songs from a Northern Town" '93, "Jump Back Kerouac" '96 and "Simplify" '96, they build on their last CD from '99, "Song & Dance, Man." That CD had 2 of my favorite all-time rockers, "Rattle the Chain" and the haunting "Oblivion" that sounded like a renegade Duane Allman track. The Fredheads on Fred Eaglesmith's computer list were abuzz with news of this release and send their love. :) Mike opens with hot electric guitar on the rocker "When In Rome." He follows with some psychedelic bubblegum on "Sensitive Guy." The third track is a bright happy driving rocker, "Dreamer." They keep the volume turned up for the next track, "And I'll break the nose of any man who dares to disagree, dysfunctional yet comfortable 'She's Still Everything to Me.'" My FAVE track on the CD is "Walkin' By," a throbbing radio-friendly tune with tasty lead guitar and rhythm guitar that pulses the beat. The electric guitar on "Fly in the Ointment" comes on like a tease as Mike sings, "What I'd give for that attitude and that tongue inside your kiss -- that's if I live through this." Finally, the boys slow the beat for the acoustic "Dimaggio," "She's my Marilyn Monroe & I'm her Joe Dimaggio." "Climbing the Walls" is a riff-driven rocker followed by full-tilt rock n' roll, "Bird's Eye View." "Promise Me You'll Never Tell" is softer, not necessarily slower! My second FAVE track is the classic "Radiate" about a guy in a long-term relationship who still gets turned on by the same woman after all the years. The plucked string guitar intro and the stinging electric lead are original and memorable. Mike's burning vocal is moving on the slower "We Both Knew." "You're the Only One" "who turns me on" is a great midtempo tune. The CD concludes with a song cowritten with Kieran Kane and Kevin Welsh, "Eggshells," an arena-style ballad, "It's a new day!" Mostly Plume rocks out with just enough softer moments to let you appreciate how well he does the harder stuff. Take it from a Fredhead, don't miss this one!"