Reviewing this CD was enjoyable and very easy. Fran Smith
Jr. is a total professional who has been successful in the music
industry for more than 25 years, receiving numerous platinum and
gold records. Fran tours with The Hooters, playing the bass and
rounding out the vocals, and seems to keep very busy with many other
projects on the side.
His latest CD, Man Meets Machine, was
released in December and includes guest performances by Eric
Bazilian and Rob Hyman of The Hooters, Glen Burtnik (formerly of
Styx), and Keith Mack.
Since I'm primarily a recording
engineer and music producer, I'm very critical of recordings, and
I'll start there... This CD sounds great! Nothing bad at all to say
about it. Sounds like it could have just as easily been released by
any major label. Great sounds, great production, great mixes, and
great mastering to bring it all together.
So, on to the
music. Not much to say here either other than I really enjoyed the
CD! Fran is a very talented songwriter and I really enjoyed the
harmonies and layers of vocals on this CD. If I had to categorize
the music, I would say it reminds me somewhat of XTC, mostly based
on the vocal sound and the song arrangements. Simply put, this CD
has great songs performed well with great vocals and solid musicians
all the way around.
Man Meets Machine is not the kind of
stuff you're likely to here on any trendy top 40 radio stations, but
rather a very refreshing break from all of that! You might not enjoy
this CD if you are a young teen into the type of music that MTV and
mainstream radio forces on you. But, if you are into intelligent
music that is still fun to listen to, then give this CD a
try.
