Frank Viele – The Silo – EP with The Trouble With Desire
Even though the focus is on the new 5-track EP (coupled with the album in some markets). I never reviewed the 13-cut LP, so I’ll take the liberty of familiarizing myself with New England’s award-winning singer-songwriter Frank Viele’s repertoire.
Frank has a strong, aggressive vocal style addressed in the same pop-rock style that was the forte of Bryan Adams (“Remember”), David Werner (“What’s Right”) & John Waite. While his voice is not as highly distinguished as theirs, his approach is engaging. He’s skillful, entertaining, & has some succinct arrangements that dress up his songs (“Hearts We Left Behind,” “Claws,” “Putting Out Fires”). At times, a bit heavy on cliches (“Mountains We Can Climb”), the music is never overwrought, schmaltzy, or boring.
The new 19-minute EP The Silo has 5 tunes produced by Leon James DeWyze (Resonator guitars/bgv) & Nico Grossfeld (bass/drums/synth/keys/string arrangement/bgv) & Frank (vocals/bgv/acoustic & electric guitars/12-string & baritone acoustic guitars/steel & nylon acoustic guitars/slide & Resonator guitars/xylophone).
The EP songs are darker than the album, but well-produced to carry along a mood, an undeniable quality of balladry (“Silo”) that’s coated in a noir wisp. Whereas he channels a bit of Springsteen’s acoustic heaviness (“Nebraska”) in the incisive “We Can’t Have It All.” “She Sleeps Better Than the Rain” is the beauty. Balladry with skill. Clever lines, deep tawny glow vocals that contrast dusky instrumentation & acoustics. Viele is a good songwriter whose still molding his marble…not clay…marble. A slight deviation from the full 13-tune The Trouble With Desire (Dropped Feb 20/Bigger Beast Records/49:59) produced by Jimmy Nutt (keys/synth/percussion/electric guitar) & James LeBlanc (electric & acoustic guitars/baritone electric guitar/bass/bgv). Recorded in Sheffield, AL, this is a bit closer in tradition to the raw vocal expertise of New Jersey’s Billy Falcon. Frank’s “Necessary Evil” is an interesting, captivating & peppery rocker. Tight musicianship.
A pure Bryan Adams rocker rears its head on “Lo-Fi Goodbye.” Give Mr. Viele an “A” for effort. Despite the pot holes on some, there’s no denying Frank makes his musical ride exciting both on the album & certainly the EP.
Highlights – “Hearts We Left Behind,” “Claws,” “Necessary Evil,” “Sleepless Nights Alone,” “Trying To Raise a Man,” “Dive Bar Poet,” “Lo-Fi Goodbye,” “Caffeine & Cabernet,” “Putting Out Fires,” “Trainwreck,” “Silo,” “We Can’t Have It All” & “She Sleeps Better Than the Rain.”
Musicians – Tom Barraco (drums), Anthony Candullo (bass), Kevin Holly (electric guitar), Brad Kuhn & Marty Lewis (keys/organ/synth) & Donato Biceglia II (clap tracks).
B&W image courtesy of Frank’s website gallery. CD @ Apple + Amazon & https://frankviele.com/
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: Interview: Frank Viele on “The Silo,” Touring and Songwriting Evolution
Frank has a strong, aggressive vocal style addressed in the same pop-rock style that was the forte of Bryan Adams (“Remember”), David Werner (“What’s Right”) & John Waite. While his voice is not as highly distinguished as theirs, his approach is engaging. He’s skillful, entertaining, & has some succinct arrangements that dress up his songs (“Hearts We Left Behind,” “Claws,” “Putting Out Fires”). At times, a bit heavy on cliches (“Mountains We Can Climb”), the music is never overwrought, schmaltzy, or boring.
The new 19-minute EP The Silo has 5 tunes produced by Leon James DeWyze (Resonator guitars/bgv) & Nico Grossfeld (bass/drums/synth/keys/string arrangement/bgv) & Frank (vocals/bgv/acoustic & electric guitars/12-string & baritone acoustic guitars/steel & nylon acoustic guitars/slide & Resonator guitars/xylophone).
The EP songs are darker than the album, but well-produced to carry along a mood, an undeniable quality of balladry (“Silo”) that’s coated in a noir wisp. Whereas he channels a bit of Springsteen’s acoustic heaviness (“Nebraska”) in the incisive “We Can’t Have It All.” “She Sleeps Better Than the Rain” is the beauty. Balladry with skill. Clever lines, deep tawny glow vocals that contrast dusky instrumentation & acoustics. Viele is a good songwriter whose still molding his marble…not clay…marble. A slight deviation from the full 13-tune The Trouble With Desire (Dropped Feb 20/Bigger Beast Records/49:59) produced by Jimmy Nutt (keys/synth/percussion/electric guitar) & James LeBlanc (electric & acoustic guitars/baritone electric guitar/bass/bgv). Recorded in Sheffield, AL, this is a bit closer in tradition to the raw vocal expertise of New Jersey’s Billy Falcon. Frank’s “Necessary Evil” is an interesting, captivating & peppery rocker. Tight musicianship.
A pure Bryan Adams rocker rears its head on “Lo-Fi Goodbye.” Give Mr. Viele an “A” for effort. Despite the pot holes on some, there’s no denying Frank makes his musical ride exciting both on the album & certainly the EP.
Highlights – “Hearts We Left Behind,” “Claws,” “Necessary Evil,” “Sleepless Nights Alone,” “Trying To Raise a Man,” “Dive Bar Poet,” “Lo-Fi Goodbye,” “Caffeine & Cabernet,” “Putting Out Fires,” “Trainwreck,” “Silo,” “We Can’t Have It All” & “She Sleeps Better Than the Rain.”
Musicians – Tom Barraco (drums), Anthony Candullo (bass), Kevin Holly (electric guitar), Brad Kuhn & Marty Lewis (keys/organ/synth) & Donato Biceglia II (clap tracks).
B&W image courtesy of Frank’s website gallery. CD @ Apple + Amazon & https://frankviele.com/
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: Interview: Frank Viele on “The Silo,” Touring and Songwriting Evolution