MusicDish

Artist: Brian Maes
Title: All of the Above
Label: Briola

Opening with a titular swing a la Sting, Brian Maes mixes a variety of male influences in a collection of ditties and musical stories which demonstrates his solid record collection more than his creative talent. "All About You" combines raspy Cocker-ed vocals with a Randy Newman piano line leading a Neil Diamond melody. "Quiet Heart" introduces touches of smoldering Springsteen. "Good People" mixes in reggaed rhythms before Maes enters the ballad duo of the lighter waver "Baby Now" and the bluesy piano pounder "I Need To Know." All three of these central songs feature vocals which could best be described as Henley-esque (perhaps with a bit of Jon Waite thrown in as well). "I Swear" is an extra gentle and spare (and also repetitive and dull) strummer after which the album returns to its initial pace and rasp without adding much in the way of new sounds and ideas. Though "The Next Century" introduces elements of modern technology, it is no future shot. Perhaps realizing this, Maes grabs his guitar and blues harp and, with the help of his mysterious friend "Dicky," returns to the roots of folk with the hopeful but predictable clap-along "You Can't Go Wrong." The old time victrola setting of "Boston Beauty" puts the sad romantic closer in its proper setting. Unfortunately, Maes is trying to be a contemporary singer/songwriter, not an old time jug band boy. His melodies are pleasant and easy to deal with, but they do not say much, at least nothing that has not been said before.