Ben Vaughn – Magnetic East: The Deer Tick Sessions
Going back a few decades, there was a slew of great solo artists (some from earlier bands) who released some propulsive-sounding albums with tracks that had depth, melody & charm. There was Russ Tolman (“Marla Jane”), Bobby Sutliff (“Same Way Tomorrow”), the UK’s Graham Parker (“Maneuvers”) & Frank Tovey (aka Fad Gadget) with “The Liberty Tree.” Ben Vaughn fits that M.O. His music is often upbeat, clever & with elements of melody that come from places that pop artists seldom venture towards.
This effort is not a big production, but it has that kind of nurtured sound from “Danish Modern” to “When Love Returns” & the heady brew of guitars of “People It’s Bad.” What may sound chaotic is actually an appetizing array of notes. There are 10 points on the compass & all point Magnetic East: The Deer Tick Sessions (Dropped Oct 30/Yep Roc Records/32:50) recorded in Warwick, RI & produced by Ben (vocals/harmonica) & Deer Tick. The material is from left-field & yet when you listen, it all makes sense. “Imitation Wood Grain” (we’ve all seen it on walls in early ‘60s houses & bars).
“Meanwhile (Back In the Jungle)” sounds like a line from a ‘50s novelty tune “Stranded In the Jungle” that was uttered by a narrator. But this use is interesting. Vaughn has an excellent pop-rock vocal posture because he doesn’t write his songs with sugar or saccharine but adds a splash of whiskey. “Rock Bottom” has some gritty guitar & radiator-harmonica heat. It’s a simple rocker, but it thrashes as a good rock song should.
Lots of Ben’s songs borrow from oldies, but it’s like he dresses up new mannikins in old clothes & they look even better in contemporary threads. “Apropos Of Nothing” has the beat & guitars of pre-Beatles pop-rock when charted songs had a pristine Simonize to them. Almost makes me want to go out & drink a large chocolate malted milk on top of a Cadillac hood with a pack of Kools wrapped up in my white T-shirt sleeve.
A Bob Lind (“Elusive Butterfly”) or Dion-type romantic acoustic guitar opens the lovely ballad “Somebody Don’t Love Somebody,” which concludes the fine set. The entire LP is a bit lush in spots, but Ben pulls it off with his effective timbre. Good stuff. No fat on these bones.
There’s an 8-page stitched lyric insert included.
Highlights – “Danish Modern,” “When Love Returns,” “People It’s Bad,” “Meanwhile (Back In the Jungle),” “Rock Bottom,” “Apropos Of Nothing” & “Somebody Don’t Love Somebody.”
Musicians – John McCauley (guitar/electric Irish bouzouki/mandolin/keys – upright piano, Rhodes, organ/Glockenspiel/ bgv), Ian O’Neil (guitar/synth/bgv), Chris Ryan (bass/bgv) & Vanessa Carlton (bgv).
Color image courtesy of Ben’s Bandcamp. CD @ Bandcamp & https://benvaughn.org/
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: Video Premiere: Ben Vaughn “Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying”