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Don McLean - American Boys
Mr. Don McLean had his major breakthrough in January of 1972 when his song from the album of the same name American Pie hit number-one in the U.S. for four straight weeks. Now, a half century later comes American Boys. Sure, boys like pie - nothing unusual there. What is a bit curious and courageous on McLean's part is that the subject matter of many of the record's 12 songs have a very binary connotation - at least where titles are concerned.
The title track is in fact a straight up rocker and homage to the fathers of American rock 'n' roll with Don mining much of the musical history that occurred in the 50's. "Stone Cold Gangster" and "The Meanest Girl" are odes to relationships gone bad perhaps pulled from the tabloids that have documented McLean's own trials and tribulations through the years. "Vacant Luxury" finds Don doing his best Lou Reed impression as he veers into the world of anger-infused spoken word while a few of the other tracks make insightful post pandemic observations.
Overall, the band is great, the musicianship top-notch and Don McLean is in strong voice. Clearly these are crazy times and the world has gone mad. But, Don McLean's music has helped us through turbulent times in the past - think Nixon and Vietnam. You might agree that on American Boys the heralded songwriter has dished up another helping of tasty numbers to help us navigate our current woes with a dose of music that still lives with vitality through a truly legendary figure. This one gets a thumbs up!
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Review by Rockin' Rich Lynch |
Don McLean
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