Although currently residing in LA , Roy Shakked (aka Holmes) was born in Israel. He grew up and graduated in The States but also had to do three years military service in the Israeli army. If this experience hardened him you don't hear much evidence of it on the presumptiously titled 'Basement Tapes'.
The cover painting has the artist in his residence sitting at a piano with just his pet dog for company. The fact that he is surrounded by vintage recording gear and vinyl albums suggests a nostalgia for a pre-digital age; so it's no surprise to learn that Holmes retains a fascination for artists like Prince, ELO, Queen, and Harry Nielsen.
While his musical heart may lie in the 1970s , the retro spirit does not extend to the themes of this five track EP.
It opens with 'Go Computer' , a highly contemporary and amusing modern day blues song about the trials of tribulations of computer dependency. "I'm a slave to you baby" he confesses to a Psycho Killer beat and laments the fact that "You're the first thing I see in the morning / The last thing I see a night" It's a funny and accurate tale of how much computers have replaced TV as a modern addiction.
The ‘can't live with or without you’ theme is directed towards flesh and blood on 'Prove Me Wrong Again (Slow take)' - a wistful country tinged lament of a troubled love affair.
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'Gone' is is pure pop but evades formularic lyrics with lines like "mincing words with precision and grace" and is in many ways reminiscent of the sophisticated one man band arrangements of Todd Rundgren.
Bowie’s 'Let's Dance' is slowed to walking pace which is ok, but pales in comparison to a similar treatment applied by M.Ward a few years back.
The closing track - Not A Political Song - is, as the accompanying video makes explicit, a parting shot at outgoing President Bush. The sugary coating of the tune's jaunty beat contrasts with the not so sweet sentiments - "Wipe that pitiful smirk off your mug" - and the whistle along finale relishes the fact that "his story is history". Amen to that.
This is a lively and catchy record which is not far removed from Mika without resorting to same level of bubblegum pop.
www.sweetholmes.com
www.myspace.com/imholmes
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