Anyone sick of the “We’ve said this before but we’re saying it again…” kind of intro? Well, it’s happening again so if it’s not your bag then kindly skip to the next blurb and we’ll meet you there in a sec? Some of you still here? Great! Anywho, we love all music and try to cover a broad range here even if it’s not something we’d listen to in our leisure time (What’s that???). Sorrows and Smiles by Adam Sherman Band is all of that kind but we get it and respect the hell out of it and cover it because we connect with it in some kind of way regardless of if we’re regularly popping the CD in our tape deck on our next trip to the mall.
Hi again! For those who skipped ahead, you missed quite the story! You’re jumping into the 3rd episode without seeing what’s come before! But we get it and glad you’re back regardless. So what were we talking about? Oh yes! Adam Sherman Band and their delightful new record Sorrows and Smiles that’s the perfect mix of Blues, Soul and Rawk infused with a little Alternative and Americana to make something that’s altogether timeless. And timeless is the only word we’d use to describe opener “Everyday Dangers” which, upon first hearing, gave us Iggy Pop circa Raw Power feels (“The Passenger” being the main offender here). “Greyhound” is a Bluesy number with some hefty guitar work out of Sherman and Peter Hoffman that, combined with the sizzling soundtrack provided by Kelly Jean Knapp (Vocals), Jeff Song (Bass), Chris Michaels (Drums), Dinty Child (Mandolin), Tom West (Keyboards, Accordion) and Dychell Reeves and Alena Sorokina (Who perform back up vox on this particular track) reminds us of Ry Cooder or The Fabulous Thunderbirds.
“Long Fall Down” has airs of “Can’t Help Falling In Love” and Dire Straits circa Brothers in Arms at its’ core with Soulful guitars to match the Soulful vocals while “Talk To You” is actually the first time we take a breath on Sorrows… on a delectable slow burn that’s strengthened by subtle strumming to match the tickled ivories with a chorus that’ll grab you and never let go. “Miles” fires on all cylinders on a warm sounding ditty and “Gone Wrong” is the precursor to a rowdy time with menace in the air (In a good way!) especially with the way the Michaels/Song rhythm section speak to each other and then with how the solos and strums shimmy as Knapp’s lush harmonies accent Sherman’s croon.
“In The Shadows” could easily fit on any classic Alternative radio jam of the ’90’s (Or, similarly, something out of any returning Pop God of that era) as Sherman’s quivering vocal performance only adds to the overall vulnerability of the song that shines even more so when that falsetto comes in for the chorus. Sherman’s voice is highlighted one final time on the acoustic-driven “We’ll Never Know” which is the one to shut the bar down to and the obvious choice to close out Sorrows and Smiles with.
Sorrows and Smiles is out now and you can grab your very own copy by heading here ot to the stream below. For more from Adam Sherman Band, including upcoming shows, head to the socials found when you click here or here.