Jamie McLean Band – One Step Forward
This melodic rock spirit was recorded in Brooklyn, NY & it’s filled with the kind of tantalizing tunes that were a signature of Eddie & the Tide (“This Could Be The One,” “What Love Is All About” & “Waiting For the One”), Huey Lewis & The News & Tom Petty. They created music to move your feet & smile too. McLean’s lead-off “Summer of Who Knows When” is like a Jersey shore smell of sausage, peppers & onions, cotton candy, red-dipped apples & skateboarding. It makes you want to be outside in the best weather possible.
Now, that’s not to suggest this music is sweet. It has its swagger. The music possesses an East Coast musical punch with only an equal on the West Coast in The Beach Boys & Jan & Dean. 8 pathways begin with One Step Forward produced by Jamie McLean (Drops Oct 25/Harmonized Records/38:56) & each has a benefit. Even the creative artwork of the CD with its hummingbird coming up to a victrola horn filled with flowers is imaginative & represents this music accurately.
The love letter of “Calendar Girl,” is vivid & loaded with good musical flavors. The band may be a roots-rock outfit on paper, but this isn’t Austin, Texas, Nashville, or Athens, GA music. These are East Coast refined measures from Brooklyn shorelines, Jersey beaches, Bear Mountain trails, Orange Julius frank stands, Nathan’s clams on the half shell & a touch of street corner Dion DiMucci in songs like “Too Little Too Late.” It’s got charm. Brooklyn charm. It pins back the ears in a good-natured way.
Nothing is fiery. The arrangements are tight, the performances are balanced & the showcase is sincere & consistent. Both “Feeling Good” & the wonderful “I Believe In Love,” – are pop masterpieces in that Eddie & the Tide style. With irresistible melodies, it’s decorated with assertive energetic guitars.
There’s musical juju that runs through each tune & makes it one long chain of songs that align with unity. I’m not even sure they planned it that way. The uniformity is part of the attraction. Maybe having only 8 songs on the LP was a wise decision.
The closer “One Step Forward” meanders but gives the band’s musicians a chance to get their Grateful Dead jam n’ funkiness somewhere to go. I’m looking forward to more from the Jamie McLean Band. They fill a void others don’t seem to cruise into.
Highlights – “Summer of Who Knows When,” “Calendar Girl,” “Too Little Too Late,” “Feeling Good,” “I Believe In Love” & “One Step Forward.”
Musicians – Jamie McLean (guitars/vocals), Brian Griffin (drums/vocals), Chris Anderson (bass/vocals) with Jon Solo (keys).
Color image courtesy of the band’s website gallery. CD @ Bandcamp + https://www.jamiemcleanband.com/
