Recording under the name Here’s Chippy, Chip Muellemann makes music out of his home studio located in Park City, Illinois. For many years, he performed in regional bands before embarking on a solo career, which has witnessed to be beneficial in a multitude of ways. Aside from conceiving quality tunes, Chip holds the reins in every aspect of the process from writing and singing the songs, to playing a host of different instruments, to handling production chores.
Rich with classic rock roots, while managing to convey a strong sense of individuality, Things We Left Behind (set to be released in January 2018) takes its title from the fact that a healthy chunk of these tunes entail commentary and reflections on people, places and situations from the past. A generous dose of humor also peppers the property, resulting in a disposition that’s equal parts silly, smart and sassy.
Possessing a voice resembling Joe Walsh on a power-pop bender, Chip Muellemann delivers his arresting songs as if he is carrying on a conversation with a close friend. Loose and energetic instrumental passages layered with punchy melodic jumps and incisive breaks further represent the tracks on the disc. Rushes of topsy turvy guitars ala the Beatles’ “And Your Bird Can Sing” saturate numbers like the angst-ridden “It’s Crap” and the harmonious grip of “Hi Michelle,” which tells the tale of bumping into the high school hussy years later. Meanwhile, the perky piano shuffle of the warm and charming “Call You Up” stands as a love letter to a loyal pet dog.
Wrapped in hazy psychedelic swirls, “In My Mind” summons the spirit of early Pink Floyd, and “Rainy Day” favors a sleek new wave-styled pop metal feel. Rapping through megaphone sounding vocals, “She’s My Girl” profiles a woman from hell to whiplash-inducing rhythms bursting with suspense, and then there’s “The Only One”: Featuring the chirpy backing vocals of Sara and Jenny Eagen, this track thuds and throbs with heavy and hypnotic swerving and curving.
Now that you have been given a literary taste of Things We Left Behind, hopefully you will not only purchase a copy early next year, but pick up Here’s Chippy’s previous two albums, Little Songs and Life on Low if you have not already done so. Hooky hard rocking tunes, loaded with nifty noodlings, humming with momentum and good timing is definitely where Chip Muellemann’s heart and soul resides.
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