Khalid as at MSU in 1979-80 and lived on my floor.  He got me hooked up with a lot of great music that I never heard of before and now I finally bought some of his stuff.  His roommate back then was a better air guitar player. Khalid also displayed tortured logic on why some of the newer bands of that era were actually following in the path of the Stones, Beatles and Who even while claiming they were posers and washed up.  Nevertheless, this is a supeior album that I play at work, home and in the car.  I definitely hear the influences listed by the previous reviewers but he has a very unique sound.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
Khalid Hanifi\'s \"first\" solo album is fourteen songs of crafted pop played by a very talented team of musicians.  Expertly produced by Geoff Michael at Big Sky Recording, Ann Arbor,(Not that Geoff needs a plug, try booking a session with him.  Very busy!) Khalid\'s songs are organically lush, dripping with wit.  And you have to love the beautiful harmonies of Sophia, the sound of the Wurlitzer, George Bedard\'s superb six string, and don\'t forget Vinnie or Oni.  Enough already, Go buy \"Pamplemousse Presse.\"  Never has grapefruit sounded so sweet.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
I've been a fan of Khalid Hanifi ever since the days of watching Map Of The World play in the Univ of Michigan Student Union.   This lastest release is just as good as all his previous incarnations (Kiss Me Screaming, Maypops).   The album is well-produced and is sonically impressive as well.   Standout tracks for me are: Idiot Box (in an alternate universe, this would be a Top Ten Single), Wouldn't Bet The Farm, and Only Human, which has one of the catchiest choruses you will likely hear this year.   

This is a 14 track album in the old school tradition---meaning every song is good to great.  There is no filler here; it's all meat.   There's nothing trendy here, just solid songwriting with echoes of everything from the Kinks to Squeeze to the Posies to a rowdier Nick Drake.   An added highlight is the reunion (on record) of Khalid with sister Sofia on backing vocals (Sofia being a member of Map Of The World in the 80s).

This cd has been in my car changer for a month now and it only gets better with repeated listening.   Highly recommended.   And pick up his earlier stuff before it goes out of print!
                            Read more...
                        

                            
Khalid is probably the best pop song writer in the world. This CD is fantastic. These songs belong on everyone's radio!
                            Read more...