REVIEW: David Grahame, Toy Plane (Dog Turner)
- Bill Holmes
It only takes two or three syllables coming out of his mouth before you realize that David Grahame is something special. From the opening notes of the title track's overture, Grahame's uncanny vocal resemblance to Paul McCartney can't help but grab your attention, especially since the opening to the next track "Each First Kiss" is so reminiscent of "Too Many People". But "Kiss" is its own charming piece of pop magic with an irresistible hook and chorus that has you singing along by mid-song. And it just gets better from there. "The Rut" sounds like it should be a dirge, but ringing guitar tones and taut harmony vocals drive this Badfinger-ish song faster than its mid-tempo pace.
Grahame's lyrics excel - relationships of love, pain and wonder are set forth in each musical short story. "Love is holding me here / and I'm trying to get over there" he sings in "Everyday", and consider this prose from "Steady Thing":
"But every now and then / I find her back in my arms again / Where it's so easy to / pretend it's true love / When she kisses me / I think it can be different / But when she stops / I know it really isn't..."
His urgent, impassioned vocal on "Steady Thing" makes it the highlight of the record, and considering the balance of material that's no small feat. "Losin' A Love Like You", slower and quieter, bridges the gap perfectly between McCartney and Del Amitri, while the closing rocker "Try Love" recalls World Party when they sound like... well, you know who. "Me & My Friend" is a song Kyle Vincent would kill for and "Song Equals House" (a tip and pun to his success writing a hit for the band Mr. Big) would be a hauntingly beautiful song even without the reference. Grahame , with the exception of slide guitar on one track and background vocals on two others) handles all the instrumentation and wrote all the songs (four with co-writers). It might be a low budget production but in name only - Toy Plane has a very full and rich sound throughout.
There will be those who make the mistake of dismissing Grahame as just another poser aping The Fab One. To them my answer is this - Paul McCartney hasn't written songs as good as "Steady Thing", "Everyday", "Each First Kiss" and "We're Past All That" (another lyrical gem) since his first solo album. Instead of thinking that he can't be this good just because you haven't heard of him before, relish the fact that you now have the opportunity to get on the bandwagon while it's still parked.. David Grahame and his songs are THAT special.
Toy Plane may not be carried in the mom'n'pop near you; but you can order it through the mail for only $11 postpaid. (Send a check or money order payable to DOG TURNER RECORDS, 4219 Kraft Avenue, Studio City, CA 91604; allow 7-10 days for delivery)
