Killer. Sweet.
by
David Frieman
From © Stephanie Correlli 2010
We all like pleasant things that remind us of other pleasant things. Jon Wood’s debut album “Vacation Brain” overfloweth with echoes of harmonious influences ranging from The Beatles to Pink Floyd to Sublime, many of which occur in a single song. While Wood possesses his own distinct sound – soul, range and a knack for catchy riffs – it’s hard not to detect the musicians that had to have had some bearing on these nine original tracks. Of course, I could just be hearing what I want to hear… All I ask of my music is that it’s catchy and laden with meaningful lyrics. It’s pure bonus points when I can sense the ghosts of music past and present…and those ghosts are all over the place on “Vacation Brain.” It’s like you get to doubly enjoy the album because each song bridges the old with the new. I couldn’t have picked a better opener with Lost. This musing on the beauty of vacation instantly (if only momentarily) brings to mind the Beatles’ Good Day, Sunshine then immediately delves into something off a Ween album. But don’t be confused – the tune is pure, driving and original rock. There’s something to be said for a song that, upon first listening-to, grabs you by the face and makes you say, “Yeah, that’s what I’m talkin’ about.” Lost made me yell it. And humorous lyrics are always a plus: I really got two things on my mind/One’s the destination, the other’s your behind. The second track, another strong one, Lot 58, starts out slow and smooth - evocative of Pink Floyd - then quickly changes tempo to a beat and vocals that sound like an old-school Sublime song (before the world knew who they were). The track continues to vacillate between the two styles, fusing a reggae-like guitar with the dreamlike sound of Floyd. The strengths here are the harmonies, the parallel structure and the damn catchy tune. (And I can’t leave out the similarity between Wood’s voice and that of the late Bradley Nowell.) The fourth track, Gobie, is another catchy one. The influence here sounds like that of Jack White and the Raconteurs but the background vocals bring to mind the Beatles. And forgive me, but for just a few seconds I could have sworn I heard what sounded like Meatloaf’s Paradise by the Dashboard Light. Sue me if I’m wrong! Gobie is simultaneously driving and mellow. In the fifth track, Went Home, I could say that Wood remains true to only himself - since it sounds just like a tune that his “electrocustic jamgrass” band, FeinWood, would play. But I also can’t help hearing a bit of The Raconteurs again, in addition to Ween-sounding vocals. Woven with a country-ish twang, the lyrics reminisce about his childhood home and friends and wanting to go back where he belongs. The song is rather long but it accomplishes what it set out to do: Make you long for home. Love the organ in this one. Rich lyrics and a moving tune. Wrapping up, I’ll touch upon Music Is only to say that it’s funkier than the rest of the album and is definitely a tune for the jam band-loving fans out there. If I had to pick an influence, I would go with maybe a tiny hint of G. Love, but only in the fast-paced, rap-like lyrics at the beginning. With all the comparisons being made, don’t lose sight of the fact that this album is one of a kind and a well-built production by all members of Wood’s music-making team. To borrow from the song Music Is - music certainly is a healer, my friends. It’s every language rolled into one. “Vacation Brain” is proof of that :)
