For the past couple of decades, Lisa Mychols has been very busy making music through a variety of vessels.
The Los Angeles, Calif.-based singer, songwriter and guitarist has not only sported membership in reputable bands such as the Masticators, the Waking Hours, Sparkle Jets UK and Receiver, but has also collaborated with a feast of fine folks, including Nushu, Robbie Rist, Davie Allan and Gary Pig Gold. She has further released a series of solo endeavors, which expectedly amassed rave responses, considering how amazingly talented she is.
Lisa’s latest album, Above, Beyond and In Between (Vandalay Records) weighs in as a collection of finger licking good ear candy. Blessed with a highly listenable voice, brimming with clarity, range and personality, along with the tunes to match these stellar attributes, here’s a lady who’s completely confident and comfortable doing what she does. A portrait of beauty and grace, “Make Believe” sounds like a fantasy session between the Ronettes and the Beach Boys. From the goose bump inducing choruses to the gallery of glistening hooks to the lushly textured production smarts, this song is so great you never want it to end.
Buttered with a bit of a world beat feel, “Pass Me Some Hope” wiggles and wobbles with head-bobbing rhythms, and the neo-psychedelic seasonings of “Dreamers Awake” delicately juggles tranquility with a nervous edginess. Spurred by country styled acoustic guitars, “Ferris Wheel” eventually balloons into a rippling repertoire of hard rocking finesse, and both “Taken” and “Another Side Of Time,” which shimmer and soar to a tightly structured new wave tenor, demonstrate Lisa’s potent lung prowess to impressive effects. A driving pace, combined with a run of groovy George Harrison influenced six-string fixings, administers the activity on the power popping “Hearts Beat In Stereo,” and the giddy glare of “Foolin’ The World” races and romps to a sassy punk step.
Every cut on Above, Beyond and In Between stands as a candidate to become a hit single. The arrangements are strategically placed, and the melodies are fully formed and ridiculously catchy. Solid musicianship that’s clean but flexible and energetic, is an added plus. Tom Richards of the Waking Hours lends his tunesmith expertise to the record as well as chipping in on guitar, bass, keyboards, drums and harmonies.
Emitting warmth, soul and sincerity, Above, Beyond and In Between approaches traditional pop sensibilities with a contemporary outlook, leading the record to possess global appeal. An artistic triumph, the album strongly affirms Lisa’s credibility as a musician with moxie. More please!
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