Schoolbus Window Paper Heart by Phil Ayoub
Written: Feb 13 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A sensational debut album.
Cons: None.
The Bottom Line: Phil Ayoub has created an album that very well could become a regular guest within the CD player.
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| Bounty628's Full Review: Schoolbus Window Paper Heart - Phil Ayoub Movies |
The name Phil Ayoub is not a household name. Yet, that is.
Sometimes when an artist thinks they are at the point in their musical career that the time is right to release a debut album, they are seriously mistaken and the resulting work is one that might be decent on the surface, but lacking in many respects. However, Ayoub has created a stellar debut album; an album that is likely to get his music into the stereos of more and more people as they become familiar with him and his music. Schoolbus Window Paper Heart is an album that is musically rich, vocally strong, and nicely put together in a coherent and logical album pattern. The album contains many well produced tracks that help make this album a "Not your everyday debut album."
Ayoub's debut album is backed by some solid performers helping him out on his rookie album take. For instance, Tim Bradshaw (keyboard and guitar player for David Gray) and Ed Toth (of Vertical Horizon fame) help Ayoub out on this album to make sure he doesn't fall flat on his face. Fortunately, it seems Ayoub owes himself a lot of credit, and is greatly backed by these two talented performers.
Ayoub has been around musically in the past, therefore, he enters this album with a solid footing. Having been the frontman for Riverside Train , Ayoub gained significant praise for his work with the band. It is only fitting that going solo will also create plaudits to be sent Ayoub's way.
White Feather brings you into the album nicely, with a rhythmic harmonica introduction greeting your ears as soon as you turn on the album. Just as quickly as the harmonica greets you, the vocals of Ayoub soon come into play. A smooth and clear voice welcomes you to the music of Phil Ayoub and you can quickly hear that this is an album that is as much about the instrumental music as it is the vocals. Where some might simply focus on either the music or the vocals too intensely, and thus take away from the other, Ayoub finds that perfect middle ground in his songs.
Scenes from an American Highway Rest Stop is a creatively put together piece that has an interesting electronic feel to the back of the song. A sort of ballad that would be reminiscent of standing outside a truck stop in the dark, cold rain, this track is quite solid. This track has an awesome lyrical accompaniment when Ayoub sings, "Everyone's watch tells a different time, everyone's face rings a different bell. It's my idea of heaven, it's her idea of hell." A brief guitar solo in the middle of the track is a nice touch.
River to Ocean is a more upbeat and fast paced song than Ayoub’s prior track. The lyrics on this track, as on a couple of other tracks, are the brainchild of both Ayoub and Bradshaw. The track is complete throughout and would be a track worthy of some radio play.
An interesting song comes on the track No Heart Ache . A sort of wishing and wanting/love gone bad feel seems to resonate on this track, however, the track wisely loses the overly mushy tone too often attempted. Rather, Ayoub sticks to his normal sound and simply works the lyrics in a way that many simply cannot do. "You know she's poison but you take a shot, she's just the ache with no heart."
A hidden track is always a nice bonus to an album, especially if the track is decent enough to listen to. 4th District Court of Bristol County is a quirky tune dealing apparently with a stint on a jury that Ayoub had to serve. The song is good enough not to be "hidden"; but kudos nonetheless should go to Ayoub for a little outside of the box thinking.
Track listing:
1. White Feather
2. Carnival Days
3. Lying and Stealing
4. Scenes from an American Highway Rest Stop
5. River to Ocean
6. Cinderella and the Subway
7. Low (or Libra)
8. Goodnight Kiss
9. No Heart Ache
10. If I Walk Down Her Path
11. Believe
12. Mother's Day (Run)
Schoolbus Window Paper Heart is a spectacular debut album that deserves to be purchased and listened to. While many debut albums might find their way to the CD player only once or twice, Phil Ayoub has created an album that very well could become a regular guest within the CD player.
Schoolbus Window Paper Heart was produced by Tim Bradshaw and was released in 2005.
For more information about Phil Ayoub, check out his website at www.philayoub.com.
Recommended:
Yes
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