Silver Lining

Chronique

Funhouse comes out with a powerful venerability on this, their sophomore effort. They display a knack for using a variety of musical styles to arrange an entertaining presentation. That is what music should be about: entertaining the listener. If one is looking for poetic lyrics, it can be found on this album. If one is searching for melodic pieces, they can also be found. "Variety is the spice of life" may be an old cliché, but it still works well when presenting an entertaining album. Funhouse knows how to showcase their talents so that they will appeal to many -- not a cult band, but designed for the masses. The first track from the album, "Turn Your Light On," has a Wallflowers, Dylanesque quality with a similarity in the rhythmic groove and vocal essence. The intricately laced nuances, lead guitar riffs, and vocal harmonies lend a full rich sound to the overall production. The rhythm section keeps the forceful tempo on a vibrant level. "Jaded Faded" features an alternative blend of styles, a rock-solid beat finely rooted with some playful lyrics. The lead guitar break is certainly one of the high points as the smoking riffs take on a blues-rock element. The lead guitar riffs in other parts of the melody have a reverb-filled surf guitar essence. "Jaded Faded" is a fine mélange of mutliple styles blended to perfection with an original flair. The unplugged jam, "Said I Will," is certainly one of the top tracks from the album. The unique percussion used, via bongos and tambourine, adds a charm that works well with the attractive melodic quality of the piece. "Said I Will" has a folk-rock quality that makes it extremely attractive to the listener that focuses on melody and lyricism. An ace performance that brings variety to the album, while displaying the amazing versatility of the musicians that make up Funhouse. A strong magnetism to "Long Black Limousine" certainly comes from the unique drumming that has an incredible intensity. The drumming accentuated by a playful bass guitar phrasing accepts the vocal track with only a slight well-thought plan. The level of energy leaps right off the rhythmic meter, to the "get off your seat and move your feet" level. The intro of "I'll Write You" has a country flavor adding more variety to an album that certainly has a stranglehold on the element. "I'll Write You" has echoes of the Wallflowers, R.E.M., the Cars, and Tom Petty, all expertly blended into a comfortable originality with a familiarity that leads to the overall charm. "Eyes Waiting" is more than aptly described as a dark pop-style piece. The haunting phrases employed by the bass and lead guitar serve to allow the vocals to explode with a Black Sabbath depth into darkness. "Eyes Waiting" is able to once again add more spice and variety to this entertaining album. Funhouse never ceases to amaze the listener and the final track, "It's Our Time," is no exception. With a slide guitar presentation being at the root of this highly melodic piece, the vocals compliment with a smooth refreshing elegance. A short but straight-shooting number, "It's Our Time" closes the album with an original Funhouse masterpiece. Silver Lining has the artistic qualities that make up few of the works on the market. The variety of musical styles encompassed in the tracks would be enough reason to search out the album for any listener. The originality and sometimes familiar quality to the songs might be another reason to search out the album. Certainly the best reason to search out the album is to be entertained by some very talented musicians in a timeless styling and add an album to the collection that can be played for listeners of all ages.
© Larry Belanger /TiVo