During their decade-plus existence, the Marlowes produced a brace of critically approved albums and toured regularly. As expected, fans were greatly saddened when the Providence, Rhode Island band ended their run, but thankfully lead singer, guitarist and chief songwriter John Larson eventually put together another group.
Calling forth former Marlowes guitarists Bill Jette and David Richardson – along with bassist John Simpson and drummer Angelo Franco – John Larson and the Silver Fields were born.
Following the same game plan exercised by the Marlowes, John Larson and the Silver Fields specialize in roots-oriented pop rock. The band’s sophomore album Glimpses (Shiny Fly Records) steps in as a stone-cold testimony to their talent and dedication for the type of music they play.
Larson’s southern-stained vocals, ringed with a punky edge reflecting a cool cross between John Fogerty and Elvis Costello, possess phrase-worthy power, while the instrumentation is crisp, solid and gym-trim in the best classic rock tradition possible. Low-maintenance, yet strong and energetic, John Larson and the Silver Fields don’t waste time or space.
Projecting a fun and perky temper, “Ramona Ramone” is an ode to “a girl who looked kind of like Ronnie Wood,” and “Celebrity Sighting” shuffles and swaggers with choppy rhythms.
Tagged as the first single from Glimpses is the teenage flashbacks of “Madison Valley Road,” which buzzes with spunk and references the Cars in both sound and style. Outfitted in penetrating riffs, clenching breaks and a keen sense of harmony, the title track of the John Larson and the Silver Fields’ album also keys in as a certified highlight.
The ability to mix burly rock currents with punchy pop hooks in an effective manner is firmly represented on “Now I Know” and “Dusted and Done,” where the closing cut “Why Can’t Every Day Be Like This One?” travels at a sleepy pace shrouded in a pensive mood.
Sharing a bloodline with bands such as the Georgia Satellites, the Romantics, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Gin Blossoms, Material Issue, the Smithereens, the Flamin’ Groovies and Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers, John Larson and the Silver Fields create blue-collar pop rock with ease and honesty. Packed to the pores with songs set to grip your soul and make you stomp your feet and boogie about, Glimpses is a bona fide keeper.
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