620 W.Surf - Michael McDermott

Advantages: A singer song writer with talent
Disadvantages: None come to mind

...-written by long-time guitarist "John Leventhal" he also had a hand in producing the bulk of this collection of songs. The album opens with the title track, with it’s programmed drums by John Leventhal which has one Dennis McDermott playing hi-hat to introduce the track along with Shawn playing acoustic guitar, the sound that makes this track stand out is Leventhal’s Fender six string bass which along with his backing vocals add the perfect background for Ms Colvin to sing against opening line “China gets broken And it will never be the same” and the album is off and running. For the next cut which is a pivotal song in her catalogue “Diamond in the rough” which is still a live favourite, Shawn has Suzanne Vega in the backing chorus Shawn has also used Lucy Kaplanski (who is a singer song writer in her own right... Read review

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Advantages: very very good music
Disadvantages: not easy listening background music

...This album is a collaboration between McDermott's 2 Hours, often cited as a major influence on the levellers, and two of the levellers, namely Jeremy and Charlie. I bought this album because i love the leveller's music and was curious to see what this album was like and the first time i listened to it i have to admit to wondering what i had done! but then i listened to it again and realised, as the music and lyrics crept into my head and stayed there, that i had been mistaken, this was a very, very good album. It is essentially folk music,lots of fiddle and drum type music, with the undertone of social comment you expect to find in the leveller's usual albums. the tracks are: 1.world turned upside down 2.another campaign 3.the wheel 4.blue bandana 5.harry brewer 6.taking it on 7.la passionaria 8.laying the sligo maid i am not going... Read review

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Advantages: Great Sing Along Songs
Disadvantages: Two great covers

...6/6/6 (or in the UK 5/6/6) the Bouncing Souls released their 6th album on Epitaph Records 'The Gold Record' and I can't think of a band that deserves to sell enough records to achieve a Gold a Record. Some could argue it was one of there best, others might say it's one of there worse; personally I love this album. The Bouncing Souls are: Pete Steinkopf - Guitar and Vocals Bryan Kienlen - Bass and Vocals Greg Attonito - Vocals and Harmonica Michael McDermott - Drums With the Gold Record comes in a different sound, seems more and more there sounding less like a punk band and being influenced more by the likes of Bruce Springsteen. ---Tracks--- 'The Gold Song' (3.16) opens up the album with the sounds of breaking glass, and the guitars and drums kick in. A sing along chorus "I heard someone say, that nothing gold can stay, but there... Read review

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