Adam Franklin: “Bolts of Melody”
PERFORMER: Adam Franklin (www.hispeedsoul.com)
CD: “Bolts of Melody” (Hi-Speed Soul)
In anticipation of a Swervedriver reunion scheduled for this year, the group’s main man, Adam Franklin, has issued his first solo effort. While most of the sonic elements of his former band are pleasantly intact, this is a kinder, gentler Franklin, for sure — a singer/songwriter collection of sorts compared to the wall-of-sound Swervedriver. And if Swervedriver’s sound was a mind-numbing, almost psychedelic, wash, Franklin has found a balance that indulges his fondness for heady instrumentation (especially guitars) while giving more play to his languid melodies.
More often than not, the tunes are midtempo excursions that, by turns, give a nod to the fluid guitar of Hendrix circa “Electric Ladyland” (“Sundown”), Pink Floyd/David Gilmour (“Morning Rain”) and simply nice progressions and chord inversions (the instrumental “Theme From LSD”). The mostly acoustic “Birdsong” and “Song of Solomon” offer hints of what Franklin’s solo shows might sound like — not to mention reminding you that the guy can really sing. And speaking of Pink Floyd, “Syd’s Eyes” offers yet another paean to Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett. Oh, and did I mention that it’s Franklin playing all those guitar parts? Impressive!
– By Michael Lipton
