A Little Too Late
Mimi’s, 2024
8/10
The frontman for NYC’s The Brilliant Melodies, this 2nd solo album for Alan Walker sees the vocalist and key wizard penning 9 songs with no lack of hooks or pop appeal.
“The Morning After” starts the listen with Walker’s bright vocals and John Morgan Kimock’s bouncy drums that are met with Rob Schwimmer’s well timed synth, and “Mama Kat” follows with a calmer mood, where Larry Campbell’s gentle pedal steel complements the dreamy climate.
“Town Called Misery” lands in the middle, and it welcomes Schwimmer’s claviola and taisho harp amid the vocal harmonies, while “Only Son” emits graceful cellos from Myron Lutzke and Jake Charkey that suits the heartfelt singing of the piano fueled beauty.
The last 2 tracks, “Somewhere Down The Line” and “Better Man”, don’t disappoint either. The former has Schwimmer handling Hammond B3 and Bill Holoman’s strategic flugelhorn, where Walker’s range is explored, and the latter is a punchy and smooth finish that benefits from Larry Etkin’s trumpet and Holloman’s tenor sax.
A diverse effort that embraces both light and dark moments, nods to the ‘70s won’t go unnoticed here, as Walker tips his hat to Jackson Browne, Squeeze and the Fab Four with much success.
Travels well with: Laurie Lewis- Trees; Armchair Boogie- Hard Times & Deadlines