Chris Harford “Looking Out For Number 6” (Schnitzel Records 2006)

Well connected East Coast rocker connects with Ween on a little gem of an album.

Chris Harford seems to have played with anyone who’s anybody. His list includes Richard Thompson, Loudon Wainwright, Mark Mulcahey, Jonathon Segal, Evan Dando and Ween. With Dean and Gene Ween in tow (and on production duties, Deen, aka Mickey Melchiondo) he has produced a concise lesson in songwriting and sharp punchy rock. With no evidence of Ween’s irreverent take on life, Harford has penned eight songs which stand up to scrutiny, from the Crazy Horse lurch on “This Moment Is All We’ve Got” to the Sparklehorsian (!) “Pain Is Good” with its dumb sounding guitar solo which echoes the vocal inflections. “Render Me still” ventures further into Sparklehorse territory with Harford sounding like Linkaus as he sings “what makes you strong just might kill.” With a killer bass and drum sound this rocks out mightily. The energy is toned down for the following songs. “Teach Me” has a simple Laurel Canyon hippie message reminiscent of more innocent times when Neil Young and Steve Stills believed in the power of love. “To Understand You” is decorated with some nice pedal steel (by Marc Muller) and the closing song “The Glider To The Queen” is an impressionist take with possible references to 9/11 as a storm rumbles in the background and a violin (played by George Flayer) weaves in and out of the vocals. Overall a very impressive piece of work which deserves a wide audience. Released in the UK through Schnitzel Records.

Date review added:  Monday, November 27, 2006
Reviewer:  Paul Kerr
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  artist site