Review Summary: Can Butch make gold Stay Gold...
Where does an artist draw the line between paying homage and drawing direct inspiration to craft a piece of art? It’s a mighty fine line to toe. Detractors roll their eyes and scoff insults, chanting words like “plagiarism” and “unoriginality”; meanwhile, optimists see a final product molded from a plethora of influences, which have positively influenced a fresh take on an old recipe. Butch Walker is no stranger to such critiques. Rotating musician in his younger years, key member of a one hit wonder band, a very successful record producer and a solo musician who’s tread water to stay relevant and afloat for nearly one and a half decades, Butch has been a musical troubadour who’s defined his career on his quick takes of the current music scene, ranging from his angst alt rock driven debut in 2002 (Left of Self-Centered) to his most recent effort, Stay Gold. Does Butch sink or swim…
First thing I noticed about Stay Gold is that each song, upon hitting my ears, felt like deja vu, and I mean that in the best way possible. Whether a similar chord progression, selection of lyrics or overall presentation, Stay Gold is littered with the fingerprints of artists past, a smorgasbord of musical influences. The opening track, the self-titled Stay Gold, immediately had me mistaken that I put on Cheap Trick’s 'Surrender', maneuvering between crisp guitar riffs, attitude driven vocal stanzas and an anthemic chorus. Progressing to East Coast Girl, Butch shuffles between spoken word and driving up the temp to Americana inspired melodies, reminiscent of New Jersey’s own Gaslight Anthem. My favorite track on the record is Ludlow Expectations, which begins with an extended intro with motorcycles revving, a girl emphatically counting down from 3 and followed by a track Springsteen would be proud of that reminisces of the Bleachers tune, 'Rollercoaster'. Make no mistake, the album has its ballads as well. ‘Descending’ is a track that would fit finely into Ryan Adams duet tunes as a duet very much in the vein of' Oh My Sweet Carolina', filled with elegant piano work and excellent vocals from both Butch and Ashley Monroe and honest, heartfelt lyrics. The next two tracks, 'Irish Exit' and 'Mexican Coke', could have been recorded in Muscle Shoals after a Rolling Stones recording session circa 1970. Jammed with horns and rhythm, both tunes are bombastic, but contained to accentuate Butch’s vocal performance and maintain a jam session vibe and not a stadium rock sound. Speaking of influences, ‘Can We Just Talk about Last Night’ begins almost identically like Beast of Burden, but I still enjoy that song…. 'Spark Lost' has one of the better choruses of the record, one I’ve found myself singing along with after just a few short days of spinning this record. Stay Gold summates with 'Record Store', a soft acoustic tune that reminds me of The Gaslight Anthem’s Here’s Looking at You Kid, patient, thoughtful and reminiscing of what could have been.
Stay Gold is a record that many may shake their heads at, dismiss, and think “been there, done that”, but I believe Butch Walker has found a new voice in old influences. Where once was a young man spitting out alternative rock tunes of the early 2000’s is now a grown man who’s been molded by some of the best rock influences of the 20th and 21st century. This record is far from inventing the wheel, in fact I could argue the opposite, but it succeeds in finding its own identity, setting itself apart on its own feet through excellent musicianship, lyrics and a great vocal performance by Butch and company. This album will not win awards, or change the landscape of music for years to come, but it’s been on repeat in my car for over a week straight, it’s tunes have been stuck in my mind and there’s no better feeling as a music listen to have a record not only have replay value, be immensely enjoyable, stay in your head hours/days after listening, but also make you want to share it with others. Cheers.
