With a lot of today’s music following the same lack-luster trends, the majority of the songs being released and promoted, no matter what genre, seem to sound alike. With nothing to separate one song from another, it is not surprising that the music industry as a whole finds itself in the crisis that it’s in.
To repair some of the damage that has already been done, the music industry can take a lesson from Bill Shaouy, the singer and songwriter for the band Desmond Drive. With Desmond Drive, Shaouy has created an album that is unlike most of the material being produced today. The band’s album is called “I Called I”.
Along with Bill Shaouy on vocals and keyboards, the rest of Desmond Drive is made up of Rob Gal on guitars, Steve Platnick on bass, and Chuck Kelly on drums. To help Shaouy shape the music for the album, Rob Gal also helped to produce the release.
The music by Desmond Drive on “I Called I” is a little different. Bill Shaouy did not compose the songs while using the trends of today’s music; if anything, the music of Desmond Drive is based upon material from earlier decades. The music contains a fair amount of references to the British Invasion, as well as other rock eras from the past.
Much of the British Invasion influence comes from references to The Beatles. With the orchestrations that help to bring depth to Desmond Drive’s album, you can almost imagine some of the songs being written by Lennon/McCartney. The song “Isn’t It A Wonder” sound like it could have come from “The Magical Mystery Tour” album.
While more Fab Four references exist in the band’s music, the British Invasion was not the only influence to Shaouy’s writing. While listening to the album, you can almost hear references to Springsteen and Bob Seeger. There is also an unmistakable reference to Roy Orbison.
The song “Poker Face” sound like it could have come from any part of Orbison’s song catalog. The style of the track would have fit perfectly with Orbison. And of course, the timpani in the song definitely conjure up visions of Orbison’s music. Plus, with Shaouy having a voice that is almost operatic in quality at times, the parallels are certainly apparent.
The most interesting track on the album is “One Night”. The seven-plus minute opus includes an orchestral beginning and has a style that reminds you of Todd Rundgren.
While most of the album “I Called I” from Desmond Drive was composed while using many influences from the past, the entire album is not that way. There are a few hints at modern day music. The track “My Tribe,” for instance, sounds very fresh with loop-like drumming and other instrumentation that make the song sound very modern.
The opening recitation by the Greek Chorus also separates the album from other current releases. The chorus makes several appearances throughout the release, including the third and final time when the speakers are interrupted by a phone call. This adds a little humor to the album, and, in a way, tells the listener not to take things so seriously.
Using influences from the past, and adding a little humor to the release, Bill Shaouy and the rest of Desmond Drive have created an album that should make people who want something more from today’s music happy. For that “something more” in your music, check out the current release from Desmond Drive, “I Called I”.
To check out the music by Bill Shaouy and the rest of Desmond Drive, visit them online at www.desmonddrive.com.
Reviewed By Matheson Kamin
