Published on Nov 18, 1999
New York City has a vital (if not necessarily commercially
successful) pop music scene. On any given night, you could go to a
local club and hear some fine artists such as Richard X. Heyman,
George Usher, and the duo Agnelli and Rave. I’d now like to add one
more talent to the above list – Dave Bush & Food.
Their new CD,
The Big One, is chock full of melodic, heartfelt songs that
alternate between folk-rock and piano pop and a couple of
surprises. Of course, the mention of piano pop will make many
immediately think of Ben Folds Five, and that John Alagia (who has
worked with BFF) is on hand as producer, will reinforce those
thoughts.
Admittedly, Bush’s vocals has the same fragile, high pitched
tone as Ben Folds, and the title song definitely has a BFF vibe at
their most poignant. The piano-based song “Invisible” show that
Bush also shares Folds’ affinitely for early Todd Rundgren-esque
balladry. However, this is where the similarity ends.
While there are plenty of cool keyboard moments to be heard on
The Big One, there are quite a few guitar-oriented tunes as
well. The CD starts off strong with “The Great Unknown,” a song
which has a gradually soaring melody. There is also the
straightforward, self-assured folk-rock of “Ain’t Looking To Be
Found” which sounds like an anthem for the cynical.
Other highlights include the stunningly plaintive “Beautifully
Wrong”. The band is particularly effect when Bush and guitarist
April Kline harmonize. Another good example of that is on the
melancholy “Day By Day”, a vivid portrait of a girl leading an
empty life.
The band also has a rhythmic side as well, as evidenced by the
song “So Jah Seh”, a haunting melody with Bill Roberts’ bass more
prominent and some tasty horn and keyboard flourishes. They even go
a little funky on “Make Me” which also has some nice horn
arrangements by Tim Cast.
If you are interested in pop music that have melodies that sound
good and lyrics that are good for you, then you’ll get plenty of
nourishment from Dave Bush & Food.