One
of the most highly regarded artists in pop today, Chris von Sneidern (or,
simply, CVS) has released his latest, Wood + Wire. While we've come to expect
much from someone like CVS, I'm not sure anything could have prepared us for
Wood + Wire. Loaded with the quality, both artistically and technically, that
makes CVS such a standout, Wood + Wire may in fact be his best CD since the
stunning debut in Sight & Sound - perhaps even better.
"Starting
Out," the opening track, features many of CVS's talents. It's slower
arrangement allows for accomodating some lovely harmonies, great guitar
playing, and also serves as a testament to just how good a vocalist CVS is. The
phrasing here betrays CVS's natural pop instincts and the listener gets to
benefit from it. Ballads are where CVS really gets to show this, as with the
wonderful As You Are. "As You Are" not only features CVS's vocal
talents (with a slight Beatle flair on the chorus), but his being able to play
guitar as well. CVS is a grossly underrated guitar player, perhaps only
equalled in that category by Marshall Crenshaw.
Speaking
of Marshall Crenshaw, the vocal on "Split It" sounds like an MC song
in parts, but the rest of the arrangement is all pure CVS. The man is clearly
making the most out of having not one, but two talented keyboardists at work
throughout. Joe McGinty's harpsichord adds much here, with Dave Amels' organ
playing sitting behind it. The electric piano adds much to the simply titled
"Love"'s verses, pulling back in just the right amount to let a
perfect chorus take over.
The
chugging rhythm on "I Can See" on the verses gives the song a
terrific rock and roll feel before, again, giving way to a memorable chorus
loaded with a strong melody and some great harmonies. On the more exotic side,
"Like Me That Way" makes continued use of his keyboardists in front
of some effective percussion from visiting Smithereen Dennis Diken. The
familiar names do not stop there, by the way. Besides being recorded and mixed
by former dB Gene Holder, Richard X. and Nancy Heyman appear on the
ultra-smooth and cool "Don't Worry Now," as the guesting rhythm
section. Talk about keeping fine company!
CVS's
guitar playing comes to the fore on the country-flavoured ballad, "Got A
Way With Her." The similar "Feel" again features some fine
guitar along with great build-ups that allow the whole band to stretch a bit
and power the song out. The wonderful "Circles," which also appears
on the exceptional Yellow Pills Vol. IV features CVS's great pop instincts
again with a great melodic vocal showing. The power chords that appear
seemingly out of nowhere are very effective, also used to great effect on
"Starting Out."
Ending
with "The End", CVS has again demonstrated just how deserving he is
of the high regard people hold him in. As a musician, his instincts are
terrific and as a songwriter, his ability is almost unmatched for sheer spirit
and conviction. While every new CVS CD is something of an event, Wood And Wire
is just a little bit more special than his other releases.
-Claudio
Sossi