The second of the prolific Erick Hovey's releases of 2010 is, in many respects, more of the same, a set of blues-based rock numbers. Only this time, not quite as good.
The guitar licks that proliferate throughout opener 'When Will I See You Again' verge on the excessive, and threaten to teeter into cock-rock territory during the solo that occupies much of the last couple of minutes of the track.
As he did on 'Talkin Bout Love,' on 'Blues Farm,' Hovey goes cod reggae on 'Hazy,' and it really doesn't sit right, with Erick's voice, with the guitar embellishments, or the rest of the album. That said, 'Recycled Souls' isn't as strong a collection as its counterpart. The vibe's just that bit too muso, the sound cluttered with backing vocals and shakers and other superfluous percussion and incidentals
Again, Hovey's far and away at his best when he plays straight laid-back, late night electric blues. 'What You Doin Here' and 'Here Again' are quite respectable compositions, delivered with a world-weary nonchalance fitting of the style. 'Didn't I Pray' is a downbeat and world-weary reflection on a relationship. You get the idea: Hovey has his niche. Much of the album is very, very average, however, lacking any real emotional depth or obvious sense of inspiration. Hovey does play a trump card with the closing 'Ask the Stars,' though, which is a sparse and fragile acoustic song that does tug on the heartstrings with its philosophical stargazing sincerity.
|
Overall, not a great album but it has its moments.
www.erickhovey.com
|
