Gypsy Eyes Records
2007
Lucky Thumbs
About This Album
Singer/songwriter Brandon Butler is a veteran of emo bands Boys Life and Farewell Bend, and also spent time previously in a more country-inflected outfit called Canyon. His solo debut is a logical progression from that last project, and finds him playing spare, slightly ragged country-inflected guitar rock and singing in a style that is maybe just a bit too derivative of both Bob Dylan and Tom Petty (and, once in a while, Camper Van Beethoven). The songs themselves are quite impressive: "Sparks" rocks along beautifully until the harmonica kicks in, and even then it's got a great feel; "Happy Sound (Dark and Pretty)" starts out slowly but grows on you; and "Heaven Help Us" is a dark minor-key number with prominent handclaps, which is always a good combination. On the other hand, "Never on a Sunday" starts out slowly and then doesn't grow on you, and "Rats and Mice" goes for a throaty and cathartic roar but is undermined by Butler's rather weedy voice. Butler has plenty on the ball, and there's nothing wrong here that won't be fixed by a little more commitment to the notes he's singing and to finding his own voice. Not bad. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
Track List (try tracks 1,2,3,5 and 7)

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