Clinton Curtis embodies the true spirit of indie music. He rocks his semi-hollow Telecaster with a fervor that is sincerely apparent in every original tune he belts out. As a bonus, Curtis is also easy on the eyes. No doubt that a live show featuring this exciting young man makes for an awesome, memorable night.
Curtis’ up-tempo rockabilly flair is the perfect combo of loud, raunchy guitar work, rough, powerful lead vocals, busy background vocals, swimming drums and bluesy piano. The energetic title track and the lively “Crawfish Hole” make you feel like you’re at your favorite bar or dive.
The guitarist does have a sensitive side as his gruff voice melts away in “Raining Anyway.” This ballad follows the Keith Urban formula of “You’ll Think of Me” where the Aussie croons, “Take your cat and leave my sweater…” while the Jamaican native sings, “Keep your tea from China, your wild horses / They won’t ever make me stay…”
Following the country-folk tradition of clever musical storytelling, Curtis has quite a few such ditties like the underage love affair in “Mexican Scandal,” the wearied sailor and the prostitute in “Jump this Ship,” and the servant and the lady of the house in “Miss Aretha.” The standout however is “Revolution (Turn Sofia On)” and not just for the wild, unsavory nature of the characters but Curtis’ enjoyable, quirky vocal stylings. Sofia and her lover are doing drugs and running from the law as Curtis presents their tale with smooth falsetto jumps up and down throughout the tune laced with tasteful guitar work.
Smoldering Youth is a highly entertaining debut from Clinton Curtis who has the songwriting ability, the chops and the innate talent to be a long-time favorite performing musician.
Reviewed By Kelly O’Neil
