Joe Croker - Candy World

Wingding Records: 2005

    I’m charting new territory that deserves some exposure on this site. This time, I’m reviewing a CD by songsmith, Joe Croker. Joe is a captivating songwriter that weaves words and phrases in ways that I’ve rarely heard before. While his sound is very similar to older pop/rock/folk, it’s arranged and executed in a way that is very unique and original. Wingding Records is the label that Joe Croker is currently signed under, along with many other talented songwriters.

   This Friday, September 9^th at The Five Spot in east Nashville, features the official Wingding Records Artist Showcase. Joe Croker, along with Doug Hoekstra, Charlie Degenhart and George Marinelli will be performing short sets to display their material to the public. This is a local Nashville label that hasn’t forgotten what the point of being a musician is…..to write good songs. To help provide a sneak preview of this week’s event, I give you my review of Joe Croker’s Wingding Records release, ‘Candy World’.

     1. Careful: After a quick hit on the snare drum, this CD is off and running. Joe Croker spits out some vocal stylings that sound a lot like Neil Young. The twangy, authoritative vocals remind me of early 70’s folk rock done with a dose of attitude. This song’s attention grabbing structure is a perfect choice for the opening track.

2. Candy World: The title track of this e.p. features vocals that contain a grittier tone and are deeper. A light piano part fills in the gaps between the vocals. The female backing vocals and strange but enchanting lyrics make this song sound like an alt-country ballad.

 3. Hungry: A haunting opening riff leading into a toe-tapping first verse sets the stage for ‘Hungry’. Starting out like a feel good Neil Young-ish anthem done in a morose context, the song speeds up halfway through with Croker’s vocals getting grittier and more in the vein of Eddie Vedder. This is very ironic due to the fact that Neil Young’s ‘Mirrorball’ album was essentially a Pearl Jam/ Neil Young collaboration. This song changes fluidly enough to stay interesting. By far, my favorite track.

4. What’d She Pay?: A distorted electric drum intro with a detuned guitar sound leads off this wonderfully strange track. I can distinctly hear a latter day Beatles influence. It’s got a simplistic drum/stomp sound layered with a strange combination of guitar, horn, strings and what I think sounds like an accordion in places. The vocals really stand out on this tune, delivering the message with lots of melody. The most creative song on the album.

5. Beasts Fall Away: Some chorus-filled guitar plucking opens up this melodic song that carries an inspiring vibe. This song reminded me of something that I would have heard back in the 80’s by bands like The Alarm in the fact that it’s a folk ballad but not a cheesy one.

   Overall, I enjoyed listening to Joe Croker. He’s got a very weary and weathered voice but that’s what makes him sound genuine. You can hear the hard times coming through your speakers on this roots rock disc. Some of these songs sound like modern-day protest songs. Not so much in lyrical content but in spirit and musical execution. Take Neil Young, Eddie Vedder, and John Mellencamp and throw them together and you get the essence of Joe Croker.

 Joe Croker

For more information on Joe Croker & other Wingding artists, visit:

www.WingdingRecords.com

Well, that’ll do it for this time. Tomorrow, you can expect a CD review of another great Wingding artist, Charlie Degenhart. Check out The Five Spot this Friday for the Wingding Records Artist Spotlight show!

Until Next Time, I’m out like a UT football player on a parole violation!

Uncle Daddy Longlegs