Search - Johnny Irion :: Ex Tempore (Dig)

Americana country-folk meets early '70s pop-rock

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 08/17/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's difficult not to think of Neil Young when Irion's high and reedy voice makes its entry on the album's first track, an impression furthered by pedal steel, acoustic guitar, piano and a loping waltz rhythm. Still, the breathy harmony vocals and a meandering flute suggest something beyond mere imitation or tribute, and indeed the album plays out a variety of influences. At times you'd swear this was a rootsy country-folk album, at others a sophisticated early-70s pop release, and at a few transcendent moments, both at once. The piano, strings and drums of "Roman Candle" bring to mind Badfinger, early Elton John and the chamber-pop of The Left Banke. Bouncy drums, pedal steel and harmonica back a yearning croon and sympathetic French horn on "Eyes Like a Levee," and the a similarly sweet vocal on "Brush Yr. Teeth Blues #56" provides a tender catalog of a child's moments before sleep. A number of songs feature the sort of plodding piano-and-vocal that John Lennon made so effective at the end of the Beatles and the start of his solo career, though Irion rocks more straightforward with fuzzbox and sax on the glam-blues "Madrid." Beyond the Harvest-inspired Americana and '70s pop confectionary, Irion adds elements of soul, gospel and funk, making this an unusually rich and eclectic CD for country rock and pop fans. [©2007 hyperbolium dot com]"