Alec Berlin
Beauty, Grazing at the Trough
© 2006 Alec Berlin (616892870722)
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Lyric-driven music that incorporates all styles of rock and roll.
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It is common knowledge to his fans that Alec Berlin's music knows no bounds. Having tackled Jazz with his 2000 release "Crossing Paths" and agressive improvisational rock with 2005's "Sneakin' In" (with power trio Quixotic), Alec now turns his attention to songwriting and, for the first time, singing, with "Beauty, Grazing at the Trough", an album of 12 instantly-singable rock songs that visit a stylistic palette ranging from country to hard rock to electronica. And for those fans of his earlier work, there are plenty of his trademark searing, inventive guitar solos.
reviews
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Fantastic
author: YnoxasGreat work. Beautifully produced and mastered. Great fun rock tracks, and lyrics worth actually listening to. My Baby Likes to Eat and Leave Me Alone are not to be missed. Looking forward to the next disc!
Beautiful lyrics and excellent guitar playing
author: Bob SilverMost of the lyrics in this album have a certain beauty about them. The guitar playing is excellent. A good album for meditation and relaxing.
Rock Variety as it Should Be
author: hdlFabulous exploration of different rock styles with lightening hot guitar licks and terrific lyrics that reward repeated listening. As fun as a party as it is doing dishes, listening for an evening or on a long drive.
- author: p.d.m.
confession: i am not particularly knowledgeable when it comes to rock/pop music. that said, as the saying goes, "i know what i like" and this i like! with lyric that are spot-on, insightful and at times hilarious, and music of interest to the most savvy, this cd belongs in everyone's collection.
Old lady who loved the CD
author: Hallie BlockAs a 77-year-old woman, whose tastes gravitate to 1) the classics and 2) Glenn Miller and Sinatra, I loved the CD. The lyrics are understandable, the music has both melody and beat instead of just beat, and the songs convey messages. I sent a CD to my teen-age grandchildren, who have ear phones growing from their ears, and they, too, loved it. I'd like more!
- author: J. Alexander
Concise, well-written pop songs with tons of refreshing flourishes (check out the soul-inflected horns on "Everything I Want" and the jazzy Hammond sounds on "Leave Me Alone"). Top that off with warm lyrics that show a genuine sense of humour and clear production that never feels glossy, and here you have an excellent, well-executed record that's a lot of fun to listen to.
sterling Berlin!
author: P. McCann / Map Musicthis aptly titled recording dangles pretty toes in a rock & roll soup seasoned with sophisticated musicianship. It's music that does what music should do...make you move, smile and groove on great ideas that you want to hear repeatedly and share. It's an invitation to come on in and get comfortable, no dress code. Loved it!
like good music? then you need to listen to this.
author: s. driscollberlin reminds me of earlyish elvis costello but with killing guitar solos and more sophistacated production if you can believe that. these songs have obviously been honed and crafted to a level rarely heard in indy music. there is nothing gratutious here, no throwaway moments. each song just works and is damn catchy. i'm already waiting for the next one.
like good music? then you need to listen to this.
author: s. driscollberlin reminds me of earlyish elvis costello but with killing guitar solos and more sophistacated production if you can believe that. these songs have obviously been honed and crafted to a level rarely heard in indy music. there is nothing gratutious here, no throwaway moments. each song just works and is damn catchy. i'm already waiting for the next one.
Berlin Comes of Age
author: D. KasdanTrack 10 - Goner - is the best candidate for a pop radio hit. This cut really makes the most of Berlin's talents. The whole album is a balanced blend of influences that has ample space for the insertion of his masterful guitarwork. His singing is more than a little bit like Elvis Costello and works well in the grand scheme of the music.
Excellent. It gets me thinking.
author: Mustafai highly recommend this cd for any musician's collection, especially guitarists. when i say this, i don't mean to imply that this music is the sort of yngwie malmsteen i'm-just-going-to-show-off (although we do get a sweet taste of berlin's talents). this record has guitar seamlessly worked into each song--something that you won't see often these days. in addition to beautifully blended guitar parts, berlin takes on a 5/4 time signature. i'm a sucker for alternative time signatures, and berlin's work has got to be among the best. pretty much all i'm trying to say is: "get this cd, and don't even bother taking it out of your cd player because you'll just put it back in."
Great! Fun! Fantastic!
author: Eileen TuroffThis CD is indeed awesome. The lyrics are clever . .. with punch and pizzazz. And the delivery is great . . . short, sweet, and to the point. Laughed, listened, loved it. Hope the next CD is on its way soon. e.t.
Rock for the smart
author: Drew JacksonWhat happens when a musician with the talent to play whatever he wants heads into the studio to play whatever he wants? In “Beauty, Grazing at the Trough,” Alec Berlin delivers a dozen diverse tracks woven together by a common thread of transcendent chops and smart lyrics. Berlin demonstrates that his guitar mojo is in full working order without overwhelming his tight compositions with a million and half notes. Listening to “I See You,” you hear a rhythm lead that is both unique and evocative of masters like Pete Townsend and Joe Walsh. Berlin is equally artful in creating songs ranging from the ethereal (“Chronic”) to the bright and melodic (“Manhattan”). In addition to masterful instrumental work, Berlin gives us well-crafted lyrics that run from hilarious to poignant and insightful, and approach Fagen and Becker of Steely Dan in their sense of irony. If you are looking to expand your musical weltanschauung, you should add “Beauty, Grazing at the Trough” to your collection.
We need more like this!
author: Greg PagelI can't imagine anyone being disappointed with this CD. It's as catchy as any of your favorite classic rock, yet each tune has its own unexpected but entirely tasty "twist," distinguishing it from even the best rock-and-roll. From the toe-tappin' 5/4 groove of "No One Here But Me," to the creative harmonies of "Everything I Want" (the changes behind the guitar solo would keep Coltrane busy), to the flat-out hilarious lyrics of "My Baby Likes to Eat," to the multi-layered rhythms of "Calling Plan," you never know what's coming. It's as though Alec can't write an ordinary song. Oh, yes... and then there's the guitar work. Virtuosic, yes, but so lyrical and melodic that it's not until the end of the solo that you realize, "Holy crap!! This guy's got SERIOUS chops!!" Well-written, well-played, well-produced. A real treasure.