Simone Felice has long been one of Americana music’s hottest
tickets, whether part of the Felice Brothers, one half of Duke and the King or
in his recent venture branching out as a solo artist. The multi-talented native
of upstate New York is set to seal the deal as an eminent performer with the
release of STRANGERS, his second record of solo status but not short on guest
influence. Repeat listens of this 10 track–37 minute offering reveal an
intimate insight into the mind of Simone, all wrapped up in a sound
quintessential of pure Americana.
It doesn’t take long to get into the stride of the record
with a rousing sing along chorus decorating the fabulous, jovial and sweet
opener ‘Molly-O’. This track sees
Simone re-trace his carefree days as a panhandling travelling musician around
the New York folk scene. While the upbeat sound tends to take more of a backseat as
the album progresses, the strong choruses are a permanent feature to keep even
the casual listener engaged throughout. There is no finer example of this than
the second track ‘If You Go Down To LA’.
This slow developing acoustic masterpiece has classic credentials written all
over it and is the album’s stand out track. Its compelling mesmeric chorus with
anthem-like qualities is something truly to savour.
By the time the third track ‘Running
Through Your Head’ embeds its inner depth into your mind, you are
guaranteed to be on a similar wavelength to Simone who has revolved this very
personal project around his own close brush with death. Having recovered from
open heart surgery in 2010, STRANGERS is a continuation of the recuperation
process and the emotion runs deep in the vocal construction on ‘Our Lady Of The Gun’, another track
with a strong hook to snare you in.
Simone was raised in the Catskill Mountains and, despite his
roaming, still resides close to the town of his upbringing. ‘Bye Bye Palenville ‘ is something he
doesn’t want to say now to his hometown whilst he is raising his own family close
by, and the depth of feeling as he sings the words is undeniably emotional. ‘Gettysburg’ has a more upbeat groove
with perhaps the closest feel to the spritely opener with several ‘sha la las’
added to the infectious chorus. A little banjo is detected in this song and
joins the usual array of sounds that frequent a record of this type with
perhaps a touch more piano and horns than you expect on a straightforward
rock-influenced Americana record. The brass really kicks in on ‘The Best Money Can Buy’ which launches a
more tranquil and, at times, darker feeling towards the latter stages of the
record.
Amongst his musicianship, song writing and vocal talents,
Simone can also add novelist and poet to his creative artistry and perhaps the
one downside to the copy being reviewed is the absence of a lyric sheet to further
dissect his wordsmith qualities. The final three tracks starting with ‘Heartland’ continue down the ballad path
with the sombre mood evolving through ‘Bastille
Day’ and ‘The Gallows’.
Regardless of the album’s lighter or darker moments, the absorbing content will
soak right through to the heart of a sophisticated music follower.
Simone Felice is an instinctive and clever artist who has
delivered a top notch album with a little help from such luminaries as his well
respected brothers and Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites of The Lumineers.
STRANGERS is a deep introspective record with a palatable lacing of catchy
melodies whilst remaining a fruitful source of masterly song writing. This
record will go down well with old and new fans alike, with an opportunity to
hear it live in the UK in April.