TJ Rosenthal self-titled
New York City’s TJ Rosenthal has a new self-titled album that is set up by the kind of drive that comes from the landscape of New York, dappled with both acoustic and electric guitars, moments of rock and moments of indie delivery, and choruses that stick in your head like the thoughts that persist while you’re walking down the pavement.
Opening the album is “Gonna Need You” is acoustic guitar and TJ’s double vocals and “is it me or do you agree that everything’s gotten crazier / people working too hard, money’s not coming in,” and later the lyrics address the idea that we are being watched online as we work. It’s an inhuman time.
“Down in Virginia” is about people living in different areas, like two ships passing in the night: “you were somewhere when I was down in Virginia.” This one adds pops of piano and high harmony vocals to pleasing effect. “Clear My Head” is a sunny somewhat late Beatles-esque song with a heavier edge, pulsations, and gang harmonies: “I realize that wasting time will come with a cost / just go downstairs and clear my head.”
“Bad Habits” continues echoes of the Beatles with sunny harmonies, an uptempo beat, and a sunny commentary on the aftermath of the covid days. “Way Out in the Country” experiments with an innovative vocal vibe, harmonies, a bit of organ and guitar and a touch of darkness. It’s interesting and unique. “Uncle Worthy” is an ode to a chronic park dweller, scholar, and all around personality – the kind that you inevitably meet in spaces in New York. Neat song.
Most of the songs on the album are characterized by electric guitar and touches of rock, darker elements of indie rock and even a bit of sunny Beatles’ energy. Take all together the amalgamation blends into a signature style for TJ Rosenthal. You can find the music here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/tjrosenthal/clear-my-head
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Song Premiere: TJ Rosenthal “Clear My Head”
Musicians on the album are TJ Rosenthal on lead vocals, rhythm guitar, lap steel and bass; G Calz on bass and drums; McKenna Daley on lead vocals on “Don’t Wanna Fight Anymore,” and additional vocals; Jerry Mac on lead guitar; and Jon Lijoi on trumpet on “Bad Habits.” The album was produced and mixed by G Calz at G Calz Studios in Brick, NJ. It was mastered by Justin Shturtz at Sterling Sound in Nashville, with album cover art by Zoey Poole.
All songs on this album were written by TJ Rosenthal except for “Ain’t That Lonely Yet,” which was written by Kostas & James House.