If you're a Smithereens fan, you already know that every effort put forth by Jim Babjak has been worth the wait, and this album is no exception. In fact, considering his talents as a guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, and bandleader - not to mention a [+]If you're a Smithereens fan, you already know that every effort put forth by Jim Babjak has been worth the wait, and this album is no exception. In fact, considering his talents as a guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, and bandleader - not to mention a wealth of material! - that sentiment may be more the case with this album than ever.
Showcasing the many sides of Jim Babjak are fourteen tracks (plus two bonus tracks for a total of sixteen!) which together make up the moods and hooks a plenty from a man who has played a vital and influential part of the American rock scene for lo these past twenty years. For those wondering, his contributions are still going strong - in fact, stronger than ever - and a listen to this album will confirm it.
Beautifully crafted by a band both technically gifted and emotionally empowering, Jim Babjak's Buzzed Meg may indeed highlight a man, but is so much more; this group wields synergy as if a weapon.
Contributing are Kurt Reil (of New Jersey's Grip Weeds), fellow Smithereen Dennis Diken, Vince Grogan and Billy Maryniak. Songwriting collaborations (although most compositions are pure Babjak) include two tracks written with Danny Adlerman (who also appears on keyboards on several tracks) and Mike Dalton.
Without further ado, a track by track review of the songs, courtesy of the lovely and talented Karen Schell:
BLAMING IT ALL ON YOU: You may have been hearing about Jim's collaborations and performances with noted children's book author Danny Adlerman. If not, check out their CD One Size Fits All (listed under Danny Adlerman here at CD Baby) and you'll find out how rock 'n' roll children's songs are made. Danny has also written with Jim for Buzzed Meg and this is one of the first "adult" music projects Adlerman has worked on. To open the album, Jim & Danny offer up a tough, chugging mid-tempo rocker.
IT WAS A PRETTY DREAM: A song that for a time was under consideration for the Smithereens' 1999 album God Save The Smithereens. Chiming guitars and Kurt Reil's echoed, chilling vocal propel a melody that won't leave your head for days. Listen for Dennis Diken's driving beat and crashing cymbals that kick the song into high gear on the last verse. If I had to pick a personal favorite from this collection of songs, th
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