By Robin Ervolina
I don’t always stay ahead of the game. With dozens of CD reviews to sort daily, a few good acts inevitably slip through my fingers. Because I devour music like a starving wanderer in the desert of song, I listen to everything eventually. When something truly remarkable sneaks by me, I own it.
So here it is. I missed one ... a good one, actually ... a tantalizing, seductive set of songs by Gothenburg stoner trio Långfinger, Crossyears. Långfinger's third album, Crossyears, dropped in September of 2016. With its long luscious guitar solos and groovy psychedelic vibrations, Crossyears slithers through your earbuds and slides into your soul. Some songs tap into your lazy daisy side, while others whisper a "come hither" to your stripper Daisy self, like title track “Crossyears.” “Last Morning Light,” is a metric ton of hands in the air, tune out, lava lamp goodness, featuring a growling vocalist doing his damnest to tap into your primal bad girl.
The electric trio of Crusher, Lilja and Pihl have been honing their sound since their early teens and have locked into something intensely spiritual. If you’re looking to awaken your inner sultry, slip into something sexy and download or stream Crossyears now.
Långfinger is:
Victor Crusner: bass, lead vocals, keys and additional guitar
Kalle Lilja: guitars, percussive stuff and backing vocals
Jesper Pihl: drums and percussion.
By Robin Ervolina
How many times can you listen to the soundtrack for Dear Evan Hansen from beginning to end, without a break?
I’m going on ten, thank you very much. Dear Evan Hansen is the latest Broadway smash … oh wait, you didn’t know we covered theater? We don’t exactly, but we do cover phenomenal, and this soundtrack is nothing short of it. The Atlantic Records Original Broadway Cast Recording was produced by Pete Ganbarg (Hamilton) and features music and lyrics by Benj Hasek and Justin Paul, the duo that recently received two Academy Award “Best Original Song” nominations for their work on La La Land. Based on the novel by Obie Award-winner Steven Levenson, this sensitive and witty bit of ear candy locks and loads all the arrows in Cupid’s quiver and shoots them straight into your heart.
From the opening (and so painfully familiar) confessional “Anybody Have a Map?” to the finale, you’re given a glimpse of the plot of Dear Evan Hansen without any of the spoilers, unless you consider cast chemistry a spoiler, in which case, DEAD GIVE AWAY. Each song along the storyline is beautifully crafted from lyric to melody. Star Ben Platt (Book of Mormon, Pitch Perfect) shines first in “Waving Through A Window.” It's here we meet his character Evan, so tragically self-aware of his invisibility. “Requiem” stealthily draws tears with it’s sweet delivery by Laura Dreyfuss and Jennifer Laura Thompson, anchored by the solid third in this trio, Michael Park. If Platt didn't prove his pipes prior, "Words Fail" leave no doubt he is a vocalist and a star. Though there are many gems, the crown jewel of this soundtrack is “What About Us,” a refreshingly original song about the oldest topic in the world, love. The lyrical mastery of Hasek and Paul paint love the way it’s supposed to be. Platt and Dreyfuss electrify their canvas with vocal purity. Spoiler Alert: CHEMISTRY
You can stream/purchase the Dear Evan Hansen soundtrack here, and not for nothing, it garnered the highest charting debut position for an original cast album since 1961. The physical just became available today, but I’ll be getting my hands on a copy when I see Dear Evan Hansen in person next week.
What makes a metal head break protocol and review a Broadway soundtrack? Dear Evan Hansen, thank you very much. No really. Thank you.
"A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he’s always wanted: a chance to finally fit in. Both deeply personal and profoundly contemporary, DEAR EVAN HANSEN is a new American musical about life and the way we live it."
The cast of DEAR EVAN HANSEN includes Obie Award-winner Ben Platt, Laura Dreyfuss, Rachel Bay Jones, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Mike Faist, Michael Park, Will Roland and Kristolyn Lloyd, and Michael Lee Brown, Garrett Long, Olivia Puckett, Colton Ryan, and Asa Somers.
Track Listing
Anybody Have a Map? - Rachel Bay Jones & Jennifer Laura Thompson
Waving Through a Window - Ben Platt & Cast
For Forever - Ben Platt
Sincerely, Me - Mike Faist, Ben Platt & Will Roland
Requiem - Laura Dreyfuss, Michael Park & Jennifer Laura Thompson
If I Could Tell Her - Ben Platt & Laura Dreyfus
Disappear - Mike Faist, Ben Platt, Kristolyn Lloyd, Will Roland, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Michael Park, and Laura Dreyfuss
You Will Be Found - Ben Platt, Kristolyn Lloyd, Will Roland, Laura Dreyfuss & cast
To Break In a Glove - Michael Park & Ben Platt
Only Us - Laura Dreyfuss & Ben Platt
Good For You - Rachel Bay Jones, Kristolyn Lloyd, Will Roland & Ben Platt
