Doug Collins’ reception range goes all the way back to the pioneering birth of rock & roll because his Good Sad News album is a complete throwback to a much more innocent time in pop music. When, for example, was the last time you heard an artist sing about having a crush on a girl? “Crush On You,” is just that, though. Collins is certainly not receiving much reception from modernity, that’s for certain.
One also hears touches of country and folk mixed into this Doug Collins & The Receptionists stew. The guitar riff driving “Conversation With My Heart” draws upon vintage Los Lobos, and even more vintage inspirations, such as Richie Valens and Buddy Holly. The song’s lyric is clever, too, describing where this guy needs to have a man-to-heart talk with his own heart because this most romantic of muscles has a wandering mind of its own.
“Little House (Built For Two)” two-steps sprightly, while Collins (lyrically) faces the crashing of his American dream. “Please Don’t Make Me Leave You” is a 50s love ballad, which somehow makes its debut in 2019, like an obvious fish out of water. It includes softly appropriate piano and guitar solos.
“Tomorrow” is slightly more modern sounding than much of this album, as it plays out a bit like a 70s soft rock track. Yes, this (the 70s) is also an old reference point – only not as old as much of the rest of the project. In fact, the melody sounds a lot like the Lionel Richie-led Commodores, and their big hit “Easy.”
The album’s most country sonic moment – and by country, we mean true, authentic country – is “I Saw You Dancin’.” (The song is not, by the way, a particularly danceable track. Instead, it’s slow and sad [like so many other country songs] and infused with wonderful steel guitar accompaniment). If you chose to play this one right along with George Jones and Merle Haggard selections, it would perfectly fit with that company. “Halfway Thru” is also country-accented, but much more upbeat than “I Saw You Dancin’.” This one features so nice, jangly electric guitar, along with some pedal steel guitar. “Hey Mary” separates itself from the others due to its pretty accordion part.
The album finishes with “Top Of The Watertower,” which also concludes the project with one last touch of innocence. Going to the top of a water tower is something a teen boy might love, but not something most adults crave. It’s a rocking number, with plenty of tasty electric guitar.
Doug Collins knows his way around key touchpoints in pop, rock and country music history, all of which are on wonderful display with Good Sad News. This is not music intended to shock anybody or stir things up. Instead, it’s music that will most certainly remind you of familiar, innocent days. It’s not just nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake; it’s also a collection of these styles, which are consistently played well. If you’ve ever had a crush on a girl (and really, who hasn’t?), or you had a childhood secret place, like the top of a water tower, you’ll relate to Collins’ songs. You just can’t ask for more than this sort of relatability.
https://www.dougcollinsmusic.com/
-Dan MacIntosh
