Calhoun,
Calhoun



Label: (self-released)

(4 out of 5)

I've heard about Calhoun for the last couple years, and I've even searched Austin record stores for the Fort Worth band's 2004 debut, The Year that Never Was. But despite my best efforts, I'd never caught more than a few snippets of the Calhoun sound until getting the self-titled second album this summer. It was worth the wait. Calhoun is a brilliant indie rock album full of catchy melodies and irresistible hooks.

The band boasts an impressive pedigree. It's the brainchild of Cowtown singer/songwriter Tim Locke, formerly of Grand Street Cryers and last year's one-off project Coma Rally (review), and currently with Flickerstick. Others joining Locke include Byron Gordon on bass and Max Lintner on drums, Flickerstick frontman Brandin Lea, and ex-Deep Blue Something brothers Todd and Toby Pipes with various accompaniments plus recording, engineering, and producing expertise.

While there are many talents, Calhoun is really a showcase for the multi-talented Locke. He provides lead vocals, lead guitar, piano and assorted keys — and he wrote each of the 11 songs. To hear why he won best songwriter honors from Fort Worth Weekly, just listen to "Edge of the Earth" (listen) — a deceptively simple rhythmic exhortation for a reluctant lover to give in to passion: This heart that was yours ain't a plan ain't a scam / It's a gift you could have it obeys your commands / We fall off the edge of the earth we learn what's real / I know you feel this.

This album has it all — a near perfect pop song in "Bright Eyes" (listen), an epic love song with "Summer/Winter" (listen), a stuck-in-your-head-for-days number (just ask my wife) in "Kick Drum Mind" (listen). And then there's the gorgeously anthemic "The Rain the Stars" (listen), which just might be my favorite song of the summer.

Now if I can just find a copy of The Year that Never Was and begin from the beginning….

Reviewed by Patrick Nichols (email)
October 10, 2006