Michael Holland
Beach Toys Won't Save You
© 2003 Miss Prim Records (829757513126)
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And then there were four.
"Beach Toys Won't Save You," New Yorker Michael Holland's fourth solo CD, picks up where the previous one ("Darkness Falls") left off: smart, indelible pop with impeccable production values. This time, real strings and horns join the mix, as Holland adds "engineer" to his already burgeoning job description (along with producer/arranger/writer/instrumentalist/singer!). Whereas "Darkness" was mostly a brooding, introspective affair, the mood of the new disc is overwhelmingly upbeat, though no less quirky. Styles as diverse as Beach Boys-type surf rock ("Beatrice's Boyfriend") coexist with Latin-flavored pop ("Sin"), cool jazzy pop ("Wish You Were Here"), and just plain ol' rock'n'roll ("Boys Say Go"). Not to mention the insane number of notes this guy sings.
His last CD (entering its second printing this winter) garnered rave reviews and several awards, including a Blockbuster/MP3 Award for Favorite Male Performer, Rock. An evening of Holland's songs, performed by 16 of New York's finest singers, entitled "Mikey Writes It!", won the 2003 MAC Award for Best Revue. Holland performs nationwide, mostly in New York City, and most often with musical conspirator Karen Mack, in their wildly popular and multi-award winning "Gashole!" series of shows. In addition to his solo CDs, Holland also appears on "The Maury Yeston Songbook," released in spring 2003, along with Betty Buckley and a host of Broadway luminaries. Not exactly sure how that happened.
He has three cats, and they are very bad.
reviews
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a lifelong inspiration
author: Patrick Gorman PettisThis compilation is another masterpiece in the series of artworks known as "Michael Holland". For years I have been following his music career and collected his works and this albumn adds yet more diversity to this artist's portfolio. A memorable combination of quirk, pop, and summertime rock that sticks in yer head witha variety of range as grand as the artist's voice itself. It's a must buy.
spectacular!!
author: Mary HuntI love this CD!!!!! The lyrics, music and just overall are wonderful, but as a classical musician, I haven't heard better arrangements from a pop CD in a very, very, very, very long time. Keep up the good work! Now if only I could get a score...
- author: Wendi Simons
God, where to start? The lyrics, yes, the lyrics. Not since Cole Porter have they been so intelligent and witty, so unexpected in modern music. And Michael's voice is amazing. I first heard it on the audio book, "All Through the Night" and was so impressed I listened to the entire book twice in as many days. It was through the author of the book, Suzanne Brockman, that I first heard of Michael Holland. Now I have about 15 years of Michael's music to catch up on and it's time to get started.....
Super fortuitous find...
author: susanDiscovering Michael Holland's talent has given my ears great joy! He has an awesome voice that I can't listen to enough. Wish I could hear more and more. Don't make us wait too long.
Amazing!
author: Kendra LehmanThis is a fantastic CD! I first heard Michael Holland live in Boston back in the 90's and was instantly hooked. I cannot stop listening to BTWSY in my car. I love his voice and lyrics. Can't wait for the next one!!!!!
Michael Holland is an amazing talent! This CD rocks!
author: Gary R RobinsonI've been a fan of Michael Holland since I saw him live several years ago. I love Beach Toys Won't Save You. It's a fun summer CD,perfect for blasting with the top down or listening to while lying on the beach. The music,lyrics, arrangements and singing are all fab. Mr Holland is such a talented and original artist! I also love the great photos of Fire Island on the CD!
Beach Toys Wont Save You, But Michael Holland Will With His Great songs!
author: Michael D.DowdyMichael Holland's cds Beach Toys Wont Save You & Draknesx Falls are both excellent collections of upbeat, danceable songs. i love both of his cds. Great job Michael!!! Michael Holland is a talented singer with a voice of gold!
BTWSY does NOT disappoint!
author: Kirk DetweilerI have been a big fan of Michael Holland's since mutual friends introduced us a few years ago. The guy has limitless talent and does not fail to impress, whether it be his voice, musical talents, or production.
I've Played This One Over and Over
author: Kent B. JonesReed loaned me his copy and said I would love it, and he was right, so I had to get my own. Sometimes I can't get past tracks 2 and 3, because they're my favorites. 'Beatrice's Boyfriend' has a terrific chord structure -- not to mention a Farfisa organ -- and 'If She Really Loved You' really resonated with me because a friend was going through a breakup at the time. There are some noteworthy nods to Billy Joel, Art Garfunkel, and even Cole Porter, given all those internal rhymes. Great stuff, and a WHOLE lot of basic truths!
Upbeat and enchanting, great tunes
author: Dolly SpaldingI'd never heard of Michael Holland until I heard him sing Another Day in the Modern World on the Maury Yeston songbook (being a lover of Broadway musicals), at which point I totally fell in love with his voice. I searched the Internet for him and bought When Darkness Falls first, then ordered Beach Toys Won't Save You, already knowing I would enjoy it. It definitely has an entertaing unbeat feel to it and is gorgeously orchestrated and mixed, with his, I guess, typically intelligent and funny and charming lyrics and catchy tunes. I hope to be able to introduce my grandchildren to this marvelous singer/songwriter/all-around talent through this CD, which I will play for them at my earliest opportunity.
Great songs..heard it on rhapsody quite by accident but loved it
author: Jim HollandI found this cd on "Rhapsody" by accident..I was looking for other artists singing "A case of you" and michaels name appeared..we have the same last name so I was curious..I ended up listening to everything of his but this CD"Beach toys won't save you" is fantastic..his voice is phenomenal and his songwriting chops are pure genius..KUDOS..James Michael Holland/Hawaii
Michael has a wonderful voice. It's a great CD.
author: Judy TurlenkoIt's difficult to write just about the CD. Michael Holland is the music and this CD is wonderful.
Refreshing to see new talent...
author: D.D.M.Loved "Everything in the Whole Wide World." Have listed it on my site (http://www.mikoandtori.com/pages/5/index.htm)as a favorite alongside John Mayer, Ari Hest,Dar Williams, and Stephen Bishop. Hope it drives some traffic your way. Rest of the album is great! D.D.M.
Awesome music
author: David SalihMichael's fresh, haunting melodies strike again. Much lighter than 'When Darkness Falls', 'Beach Toys' is fun and diverse. His music will get in your head and go on for days! I haven't experienced that with an artist in years.The music on this cd is unlike any other cd you will find. Very fresh and genuine -this guy is the real thing.
Great CD
author: JaniceLoved the CD. Was recommended by an author who also loved it.
Damn!!
author: Stephen B.This is the only thing playing in my car right now. Love the mix of styles/feelings/subjects. I have an hour commute each way and this disk makes the time FLY! Wish I would have gotten it at the beginning of the summer, but still... even in October I can smell the warm wind and feel the hot sun....glad I found you, Michael!
My favorite album of the year - and that's saying something!
author: Miles PhillipsIt's going into heavy rotation for the Summer of 2004. In a year that featured some absolutely perfect recordings in Pop, Jazz, Broadway and Cabaret Vocalist (several from wonderfully talented, and dear friends), Michael's heartstoppingly perfect album (released in the dead of winter) is the ultimate concept album evoking Summers hauntingly remembered and achingly yearned for. His lyrics are sociologically loaded, bitingly witty, sometimes black and worldly yet cunningly delivered in a "gee-wiz" Beach Boys style. And his way with a melody is unrivaled. He'll draw you in then rip your heart out! I can't wait to sing Michael's songs! Problem is, no one can sing them like he does. . . Miles sez Yay!
A nice summer CD
author: GothicGuru (John Miller)Though not a progrssion in keeping with his last CD "Darkness Falls" - This CD is good. It is fun and upbeat. It isn't as personal or insightful as what I have come to expect from the artist, however, his talent is undeniable. The CD feels like an experiment in writing songs from a distance - from other peoples' perspectives. It also seems purposefully "happy" rather than naturally happy. If you want a "light" beach, summer cd - this could be the one.
Yet another winner!
author: Steve W.This CD is just JOYFUL! It continues the same creativity of Michael's other releases. Beatrice's Boyfriend is funny/sad/twisted all at the same time- love it! Boys Say Go is best played at top volume with the windows open and the top down. Thanks, Michael, and good luck with your cats.
Can't stop playing it
author: Arianna's momLiterally. My one year old will cry if I even dare to play something else. Not even Elmo will do when Michael Holland is in the car! We dance and sing to "Boys Say Go" and "Arianna Circus Girl" (of course), but when she gets tired, we play "More" over and over and over...Thanks for creating the one thing she and I can agree on!
Titanium!!!!!!!!!!!
author: Trevor StohnBEACH TOYS WON'T SAVE YOU RrRrRrOcKkKkkkKs tiTaniUMmmMmM!!!!!!!!!!!
Michael Holland gives great panache!
author: JD DoyleMichael Holland is the only artist of whom I would even think to use in a review the word "panache." Now the dictionary defines that as dash, elan, genius, style, and they all fit his body of work. I'm a huge fan and have all his CDs, including the Comfortable Shoes masterpiece and even that guest shot on the Maury Yeston Songbook CD. All of this music is distinctive, but all have, well, what I've learned to call "Michael Holland's panache." So, I was bowled over again with the new album. It is distinctly different from the others, but still has all the style, charm, wit, well-crafted lyrics, incredible production and oh, that voice! And this is a feel-good CD. It's infectious. It is one of those CDs best played in the car, speeding down the open highway way, with the windows open, wishing you had a convertible. Some of the tracks are obviously 60's-inspired, but the 60's were never so well-produced. And while the CD includes a variety of styles, they all work oh-so-well together. Buy this album. JD Doyle, producer of Queer Music Heritage on KPFT, Houston, and co-producer of Audiofile, the monthly radio review of CDs of interest to the GLBT communities, airing on over 150 stations around the world on This Way Out.
As unaccustomed as I am to public speaking
author: Taylor Cage, "QueerWaves" 91.7fm KOOP Austin TexasUp to now, I seldom submit reviews--I love all the artists I play on my show--but Michael's new album deserves all the listeners it gets, and then some. Lyrics to savor, melodies that stick in your head like--well, like something you LIKE sticking in your head, and production values that make you wonder why every independently produced album can't sound so good.. Okay. Being a media person, I can get one for free. I bought one. 'Nuff said.
Beach Toys Won't Save You But This CD Might...
author: ChrisAs usual, Michael Holland has produced another stunning CD. Everything in the Whole Wide World is a gem. Pick this one up!
This CD is So Cute!!!!
author: MeeOh my God this CD is so cute!!! It's like traveling in a time machine from the 60's on up. The music and the lyrics go hand in hand.....it is VERY VERY CREATIVELY ORCHESTRATED. Michael holland is the best.
Fantastic!
author: BettyThis is a great CD! The ease at which Michael manages to jump from one musical style to another is astounding. But more amazing is how he strings these diverse styles together to create a sound that is uniquely Michael Holland. I urge everyone to buy this album!
Mike did it again,fabulous,stupendous i love it,another big hit
author: Graycie TripodiI loved the cd,it was totaly different from his last one but just as fabulous.His voice range is truely unbelievable Mike is a star and he keeps proving it with the cds he puts out. I loved the different range of types of songs here and have already been burning the cd i played it so much,congradulation my friend.
I love this CD!
author: Suz BrockmannJust when you think you know what to expect from Michael Holland, he releases another CD! BEACH TOYS is awesome -- well worth the wait!
I Can't Stop Listening !!!
author: JodyThis is a phenomenal CD! Michael's melodies are beautiful, his lyrics witty and touching and his production is fresh and innovative. He has also managed to create an actual "album", not just one or two hits and some filler, which is a truly impressive feat in this age of manufactured pop stars and one hit wonders. Did I mention that I can't stop listening to it?
The best yet!
author: FrankHolland has done it again. Another masterpiece from this major player. Look for this one to go places. You rock, Michael!
This is incredible.
author: DonI'll say it simply. You'll be amazed when you hear this CD. And, when you play Track # 8, Firefly IX, crank up the volume, and let yourself soar.