Over the years we’ve seen rock, pop and even rhythm and blues slowly erode into over-commercialized, corporate puppet shows providing music that is extremely sing songy, predictable and highly corporate. I hereby call this new breed of music “Poser Rock” and I want to personally thank all the corporate giants for successfully transforming “Sex Drugs & Rock n Roll” into “Yoga, Vitamins and Nikelback” for everybody. Of course millions of musical lemmings don’t know the difference anyway, but not everyone is highly entertained. Talking to many music fans out there the response is overwhelming. Give me something new, something that pushes the envelope with a fresh sound that doesn’t sound like – everything else. .
So across my desk slides the latest CD by North Carolina based Doug Prescott entitled The Journey and the Deep Blue Sea (2011) What I heard put a smile on my face. It’s a grooving record that delivers rock-solid songwriting, amazing playing and a “let it all hang out” swagger. Prescott reminds me of Jimmy Buffett on steroids, with maybe a hint of classic Dr. John, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and even Hank Williams Jr. If you like the above bands you should definitely check out this CD. You will also hear a side of Americana and good ole’ fashioned Rock and Roll and smoke filled room R&B. The playing is off the hook and the songwriting is witty and entertaining. Lyrics are clever and compelling. My favorite track is probably “Right Time Right Place.” CD is available on CD BABY and can be downloaded on I — Tunes.
The Journey and the Deep Blue Sea by Doug Prescott is clearly a solid release with many feel good rock grooves with a take no prisoners R&B guitar driven sound that is just a pleasure to listen to. This CD is comparable to a bottle of Whiskey — every now and then it’s an absolute pleasure to dive head first into. It’s a record that gives us a fresh glimpse at an amazing artist and takes us back a few years — before everything started sounding like — well like everything else
Kevin Huber
[Rating: 4/5]
