New albums from Scottish rockers Simple Minds, Aussie singer-guitar great Orianthi and New York power pop hero Richard X. Heyman along with a timely reissue from singer-songwriter Chris Berardo are featured in my column this week.
Title: Direction of the Heart (BMG)
You might like if you enjoy: U2, Simple Minds, The Fixx
Tell me more: Simple Minds is back with its highly-anticipated Direction of the Heart, the legendary Scottish outfit's 18th studio album. The nine-track disc is a genuine triumph, featuring singer-songwriter Jim Kerr, guitarist Charlie Burchill, bassist Ged Grimes, vocalist Sarah Brown, keyboardist-guitarist Gordy Goudie, drummer Cherisse Osei and keyboardist Berenice Scott delivering stylish songs that are both bewitching and expertly crafted. The shimmering opener "Vision Thing," dynamic and propulsive "First You Jump," new wave-mining "Human Traffic" featuring Sparks frontman Russell Mael and urgent "Who Killed Truth?" are early highlights on the album. The propulsive "Act of Love" (a gem written by Kerr and Burchill in Glasgow back in 1977 and performed as the opening song of their first-ever gig), enticing "Natural" and unsettling "Planet Zero" are late album highlights. Direction of the Heart closes with a shining synch-swept cover of The Call's 1983 track "The Walls Came Down," a track that Simple Minds makes it own with lush layers of vocals, shining synthesizers and textured guitar work. Information: SimpleMinds.com.
Title: Rock Candy (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)
You might like if you enjoy: The Pretty Reckless, Steve Vai, Dorothy
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter/guitar master Orianthi is back with her hard rocking album Rock Candy. Orianthi's amazing guitar work comes in the service of original songs that are bolstered by melodic choruses while retaining their powerful thrust — just listen to the "Light It Up" and infectious "Getting To Me." Fans of virtuoso lead guitar work will appreciate her blazing fretwork on "Fire Together," "Red Light," "Void," and poignant "Where Did Your Heart Go" on the Jacob Bunton-produced LP. The confessional "Living Is Like Dying Without You" is a nice dramatic turn for the Australia native, a power ballad that showcases her signature soprano vocals and nuanced acoustic guitar playing. "Illuminate" and "Illuminate (Part 2)" are instrumental bookends on the high-flying release, displaying Orianthi's otherworldly talents with an electric guitar. Orianthi is backed by Jacob Bunton (bass, guitar, keyboards, piano, violin) and Kyle Cunningham (drums) on the album. Information: iamorianthi.com.
Title: 67,000 Miles An Album (Turn-Up Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Matthew Sweet, Badfinger, Squeeze, Tommy Keene, Crowded House
Tell me more: New York-based power pop veteran Richard X. Heyman is back with his latest album, the shining 67,000 Miles An Album. A truly gifted singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Heyman writes songs that are never less than interesting and literate while simultaneously reaching greater heights via luxurious sonics that recall some of the genre's greats from the 1960s, '70s and more recent times. Among the highlights on the album are the soaring "Misspent Youth," the baroque gem "Ready For A Fall," driving melodic rocker "Crave," touching "When The New Dawn Comes" and ambitious title track. My favorite song on the disc is the shimmering "Washington Rock," where Heyman's vocals are effortlessly fused amidst the propulsive and melodic soundscape; the song's historical perspective and sharp lead guitar work add to the magic. As if the outstanding songcraft displayed on the 15 tracks were not impressive enough, Heyman handles lead vocals, guitar, drums, piano, organ, harmonica and more across the disc; kudos to bassist Nancy Leigh, cellist Julia Kent, violist Chris Jenkins and horn player Probyn Gregory (trumpet, trombone and French horn) whose collective efforts bolster the masterwork. 67,000 Miles An Hour is available on audio D, digital download and via streaming services. Information: richardxheyman.com.
Title: American Dust (Greenhaven Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Bobbo Byrnes, the Jayhawks, Vinnie James, John Mellencamp
Tell me more: Back in 1997, New York singer-songwriter Chris Berardo recorded his debut album titled American Dust. Now the under-the-radar disc has received a well-deserved re-release on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. The album's delights are obvious a quarter of a century after Berardo completed the tracks. The title track is an infectious and uptempo Americana-styled rocker. The lovely atmospheric acoustic ballad "She's Leaving Me," reflective country-flavored "Old Man's Eyes" and "The Top Of The Stairs," rousing roots rocker "One Step Closer To Goodbye" are among the other standouts on the solid album. Berardo continues to write, record and perform and has several upcoming November dates in Texas and New York. I recommend his recently-released wonderful cover of the Badfinger classic "Baby Blue" and his lovely holiday-minded song "This Year." Information: chrisberardo.com.
Robert Kinsler
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