Knox Bronson is a Bay Area-based singer-songwriter who has used this release as a way of revisiting the 60s and 70s and making a tribute to the old school way of composing and producing. More than that, he’s looking to re-invoke the days when music seemed like the doorway to all things right and beautiful.
He has done all the programming work himself, written and arranged the songs and sung them too (with some help from chanteuse Angie Harnell…note to Knox, next time, give her a bit more space to strut her stuff). Sometimes, when an artist gives himself all the tasks, he loses sight of the goal and the album’s focus drifts. Not so here; Bronson keeps his inner eye on the ball and delivers a piece of work that harks back to good times of Donovan and the Moody Blues, but maintains a foot in the here and now.
Bronson is the kind of guy who’s seen it, done it and even has the t-shirt, but gave it back. He is literate, mature and thoughtful and this comes through in spades in this release. He’s here to speak his truth in quiet, authoritative terms.
Bronson has a voice that reminds one of David Bowie in his good years. He doesn’t have an especially melodious voice, but it is pleasant to listen to, authoritative and solid. The music and lyrics flow around our ears, drawing us into another place.
The only cover song is “Celeste”, originally written by Donovan (and done better by Bronson), but we are treated to “Pop Down The Years”, an evocation of the days when the intellectual and the psychedelic could co-exist in the same song.
Summary: Get this album. For mouldy oldies, this music is a throwback to the “good ol’ days”. To the young and hungry-for-the-new, this release will come as a revelation.
