David Mead--Tangerine

Tangerine finds singer/songwriter David Mead sounding less like a singular voice with a guitar, and more like just a face in a band. Still present are Mead’s influences from Lennon and Paul Simon, but a few more contemporary touches are sprinkled throughout as well. "Tangerine," the name-sake song, is softly poetic, featuring harmonized vocals and piano centered Postal Service-styled instrumentals. "Hallelujah, I Was Wrong" is a fast-moving pop piece that’s vocals sound strongly like Rocky Votolato. Moving from standard pop tunes, saxophones and an organ are displayed in songs like "Reminded #1," a gospel-like solo for Mead with only a light organ for support. Mead also strays into pop territory with "Hunting Season," a catchy tune again featuring piano solos that give the song a jazz-like feel, while still remaining very much pop-rock. Still more influences are added into the mix with "Fighting for Your Life," when Mead takes a bouncy-backwoods route. Mead’s songs are upbeat, and while the lyrics stray "we're finally getting our heads around it, under the weight of the world / the truth can hurt when you're so confounded; just give me my songs and my girl" they generally fit the songs and are brilliantly sung. The album is well-polished and holds almost something for everyone. Contemporary pieces like "Tangerine" do well bringing you into the album, where Mead experiments with jazz and country influences, all the while keeping his classic vocal style. Most importantly Tangerine sounds more expansive than a single artist’s work. Going into this music blind it would be hard to guess that it is Mead’s brain-child alone and not a full-flung band.

(Published at MusicEmissions.com)