REVIEW: Gladshot, Gladshot / Debbie Andrews,
_Suburbs of Eden (Frankly Mills Music)
- Jon Steltenpohl
Mike Blaxill and Debbie Andrews are two independent musicians with some potential. When Blaxill fronts the band, they apparently go by "Gladshot", and when Andrews sings, it's solo. But, both albums feature Blaxill and Andrews as the main artists and as cowriters on nearly every song.
Debbie Andrews' Suburbs of Eden is a sweet little album with an easy pace and a nice feel. It's not definably country, folk, pop or mellow. Some songs feel a bit like Sarah McLachlan without the drama, and others feel like Shawn Colvin without the twang. Either way, it's nice, laid back music that's often driven by Andrew's guitar.
Gladshot's self titled debut is a little bit stronger at times, but still shares in the "white bread" sound of Andrews. You'll find a little bit of R.E.M.'s harmony driven pop along with a bit of Hootie and the Blowfish's straightforward sound. A few songs pick up a casual blues feel to them, and there is enough guitar here and there to pep it up a bit. At times, the sound is even reminiscent of Don Henley or Bruce Hornsby.
In the end, both albums are good examples of independent talent just waiting to be discovered. Andrews and Glaxill have a good feel for melody, and even though their genre isn't played on radio much these days, it doesn't change the fact that these are pretty good albums.
For more info, check out http://www.debbieandrews.com or http://www.gladshot.com
