Tim Anthony the New York Based former member of The Agents and founder of the pop-juggernauts The Brambles is no newcomer to the music scene. Demonstrating superb songwriting abilities and tasting first success as early as 1982. Tim continued into the early 90's spending most of his time touring with his band The Brambles in Europe and all over The United States, capturing the attention and interest of some of the heavy weights in the industry such as Elektra, Geffen & A & M, Capitol Records, who pursued Anthony. However the offerings did not prevail as hoped for due to last minute failings. In spite of which, Tim's constant touring led to national distribution of The Brambles’ cd’s in Borders Books & Music stores and other major chains. Anthony's songs have also played on NBC's FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, MTV & VH-1. ROOM RAIDERS, 8TH & OCEAN, MY SUPER SWEET 16, & MADE and on numerous HBO & PBS Specials.
Tim Anthony's latest release "Retrofit" was voted #1 Release in 2008 on Powerpopaction.com (Spain). The CD is a crafty hook filled compilation of some of Tim's earliest recordings, consisting of tightly arranged melodic songs that deliver a feel of the early 60's & 70's brit pop/rock, crossed with a touch of 80's styled new wave pop, with smooth vocal harmonies along with the hard driven drum beats and uplifted spirits of todays power pop. Special quest Tommy Allen and Gary Frenay from The Flashcubes also appear on this disc as an extra bonus. Although Tim has mastered a unique and individual style of his own with his precision singing/song writing skills that clearly separates him, many of his songs strongly reflect, but are not limited to the Beatles influence. It is also easy to detect the aspirations of Crowded House, Neil Finn, Pete Ham, Eric Carmen to name just a few...
Retrofit kicks off with "Don't Forget Me", which is the first and only single Tim produced while with The Agents. Followed by it's B side "Agents Of The Future" co-written by Tim and Mark Sirianni, which starts the album off well with quirky jangles and unexpected twists with vigorous guitar riffs powered by progressive drum beats, which is over casted by a slight feel of space rock, that makes this song quite interesting and keeps you guessing.. what is next!!
The third and fourth songs on this cd are "Traciann" which was originally suppose to be The Agents second single and it's intended B-Side "Never Thought You'd Go", that didn't happen!!! These two songs although different from one another are both truly great pieces of work! "Traciann" often said to be one of Anthony's best songs, is a heart felt melodramatic song sung with sweet vocals and flows along nicely with beautiful lyrics in more of a contempory form. Whilst, "Never Thought You'd Go" jumps into more of a progressive rock styled song with thundering drums roars and amazing guitar runs with crisp vocals that instantly put you into the good old rock n roll mood! These two songs were the last work for The Agents as a band.
Never Gonna Cry, the first song Tim Anthony recorded to start his solo career, which includes Rick Krzyzak on drums.
Maryellen, a carefully and precisely arranged song from Tim's 2005 release "The Happy Door", ranked a #1 in Spain and was played on NBC’s Friday Night Lights in Dec 2007. A fabulous song of the classic pop style. Although uniquely different, it has a feel in similarity of the Beatles "She Loves Me" among a few other songs that come to mind.
She Broke My Heart & Mystery, classic rock-pop styled songs of similar nature that flows with smooth heartfelt harmonies that comes together nicely.
No One Can & The Heart Of Every Man - include Tommy Allen (famed drummer, Flashcubes). Two great pop songs that deliver, while keeping within a safe zone of a veteran that seems to work well with Anthony's style, demonstrating his consistent and perfectionist singing/song writing talents...nicely done!!!
Happy Ending, a beautiful heart warming song that was one of the first of many songs recorded by Tim with The Brambles. A&R rep Rachel Matthews (Capitol Records), called as well as Gay Lynn Kaiser (RCA Records), who wanted to sign the band based on this song. However, her boss felt differently. This particular song comes as a little bit of a surprise as it takes us back into yet another era of some of the charming 50's style love ballads, obviously influenced by non other than the great Buddy Holly with perhaps a slight touch of Roy Orbison, among other greats..
Retrofit is a nicely arranged CD with a classic style that combines brit pop, rock and new wave in a unique, but consistent quality that differs from many of the pop songs we are so commonly familiar with. Frequently, including smooth vocal harmonies and love based themes that will warm your heart! Highly recommended!!!
Reviewed by: Jan (editor)
02/02/09
