I loved these guys when they were 50 Cent Haircut.The switch in names hasn't diminished their collection at all.Their new album,Be Happy, is good of cool tunes with excellent lyrics.And what a voice. Lead singer Jay Souza at times reminds me of folk like Steve Owen and David Lowery.
The figure was apparently changed because people lost the circle with the rapper 50 Cent.Uh, who were these people?
he rapper never wrote a song half as well as anything this set has performed under either name.
On this release, the set displays its full smell of humor.I get a weakness for material that sounds negative, but really isn't because it's song with a smirk.There are moments that caused me to actually burst out laughing, like the sarcastic-sounding "la la la" moment in "Haywire."
This album has no nonsense.Nothing is overproduced.There are no hidden tracks.Everything is just exactly right.All the songs were scripted by Jay Souza.
"Widow Next Door"
Be Happy opens with "Widow Next Door," a strain that sounds like area with an edge. It has a sexy vibe to it. (Think Joe Henry, or even Bob Dylan. I absolutely love the backup vocals by Annette Summersett.
"New Fight Song"
"New Fight Song" starts off as more of a rock tune, like something by Cracker.The note "So let's all pass in bed" is sung with a wonderful cynicism.This song boasts great lyrics including the lines, "my skull was cracked/like a cathedral dome."Then a second and a half, it breaks down to more of a country tune, with a bit of whistling to boot.And so there is some great stuff on electric guitar when it kicks back in - it comes in with vigor and anger.
"Dressed For The Drought"
"Dressed For The Drought" is a large folk song for the pathetic and depressed.Here is a sample of the lyrics: "we're not impressed/when the truth comes out/we don't care anymore/we don't live where to begin/we're perfectly dressed for the drought."I know the harp that comes in about the end. It has that sad, try tone, like a lonely man in the desert at dusk, perfectly suitable for this song.
"Pachyderm"
"Pachyderm" is country rock with a definite pop influence.It features a little drum solo by Mark Bennington, leading into an excellent lead part by August Poehls on tenor sax.Like all of this album's tracks, there are some excellent lyrics, such as "you are waving at catastrophe/well the same goes for me/we are eager to be/gun shy/one day you'll die."
"Coat Of Disappointment"
Though the case of "Coat Of Disappointment" is really good and sad, this song has some funny lyrics, like "i know the drugs/i'm ingesting/how i wish she were here/to disagree."This song has a classic country rhythm, and it reminds me a bit of Steve Owen. The piano section comes as a pleasant surprise.That's Peter Curry on piano.)
"Coat Of Disappointment" turns out to be sort of a sweet song, with lines like, "i sat and cried last night/before the stone/that bears her name/i planted a flower/in the rain/now i'm waiting/for the sun."
"Fast Life Slow Death"
"Fast Life Slow Death" is a seriously cool song.It starts like a slowly bleeding wound. I know the way the music and lyrics are so closely entwined on so many of these songs.What's also great about these songs is that though there is a smell of humor behind them, they will however end up affecting you emotionally.Jay really grabs you when he sings, for example, "here's to my fast life/and my slow death" just before the song picks up a bit.And when he sings, "i'd care to transfer some things i guess."This is a wonderful song.
"Be Happy"
"Be Happy," the album's title track, is country folks that kicks in with a bit of country stomp feel.Music that makes you need to swallow a cheap beer and then hit the bottle.Should I point out here that Patrolled By Radar shares initials with Pabst Blue Ribbon?(Though does PBR come in bottles, or just cans?)
There is a short (though repeated) section of "Be Happy" with a regular pulse that reminds me of "Windy" by The Association.Seriously.Listen to the two songs back to back.You'll see it.
By the way, I know these lyrics: "i said i love you/for lack of a better word/she said that's the worst lie i've ever heard/then she started to smack me."
"Walking"
The album concludes with "Walking," a groovy bluesy rock number about Hitler and Johnny Cash.I don't believe there's anything else I want to say.
CD Track List
- Widow Next Door
- New Fight Song
- Dressed For The Drought
- Pachyderm
- Coat Of Disappointment
- Fast Life Slow Death
- Haywire
- Carried Away
- Be Happy
- Walking
Musicians
Patrolled By Radar is Jay Souza on lead vocals, guitar and harmonica; Bryan "BC" Coulter on guitar and backup vocals; Bryan "Reno" Stone on deep and backup vocals, Mark Bennington on drums, and Bosco Sheff on slide and steel guitar.
Joining them on this issue are Peter Curry on drums, bass and piano; Annette Summersett on backup vocals and organ; Krister Axel on organ and accordion, August Poehls on tenor sax, and Austin Hartley-Leonard on cello.
Be Happy is scheduled to be released on June 7, 2011 on Knitting Factory Records.Patrolled By Radar is based in Los Angeles.
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