BUTCH WALKER

Sycamore Meadows

2009-01-10

First, a little background...Butch Walker has produced and written songs for the likes of Pink, Hot Hot Heat, and Katy Perry. This, fourth album from Mr. Walker, was inspired by the fires that swept through California last year. The loss of his home and all of his possessions gave him plenty of fuel for the fire, so to speak. Many of these songs were hit or miss with me. I actually wrote "icky" on my notes for a few of them, such as the ballad, "Ships In a Bottle" or the third song, "Here Comes the.." (This one actually had some help with the vocals from Pink.) The first song, "The Weight of Her", is supposed to be the single from the album. It's a decent, radio-friendly, rock tune. There are other songs here that appeal to me more, though. Take the fun, yet poignant, autobiographical piece, "Going Back, Going Home". Another, "Ponce De Leon Ave.", has a very catchy Todd Rundgren sound to it and is probably my favorite. There's also a very nice, quiet song called, "Summer Scarves". Unfortunately, some of the better songs have language that will keep them from radio airplay. (Song For the Metalheads, The Three Kids in Brooklyn) Reviewed by Rebecca Ruth.

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 03/2013

    EL SPORTIVO AND THE BLOOZ
    Nights and Weekends

  • reviewed 02/2007

    OF MONTREAL
    Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?

  • reviewed 11/2012

    STUART DAVIS
    Music For Mortals

  • reviewed 05/2009

    COMMANDER CODY
    DOPERS,DRUNKS AND EVERYDAY LOSERS

  • reviewed 06/2007

    The Clientele
    God Save the Clientele

  • reviewed 11/2006

    THE FLOURIDE PROGRAM
    Roadside Flowers

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.