Philpot’s take on a muscley classic Rock comes like playing out R.E.M.’s “Circus Envy” or “I Took Your Name” (Monster). This is just one flash of guitar fury from R.E.M., so perhaps it’s a bit of a stretch to say that’s inspiration for Philpot. However, couple that guitar sound with Philpot lead singer Kentz Ward who has a timbre that is strikingly similar to Michael Stipe, and you can hear the reason for making the R.E.M. comparison.
Meanwhile, though, opening track “Etc. Etc.” on Philpot’s Hate Writes Better Than Love borrows the “Etc., etc., etc.” chant from the Smiths’ “Sweet and Tender Hooligan.” Again, Philpot is taking inspiration from one flash by an artist. It would be wrong to say that Philpot shares a common sound with the Smiths, but it’s hard to ignore how their songs jump out of that moment on Louder Than Bombs when the Smiths revved up the energy.
What Philpot uses to tease out these momentary inspirations is the stripped down, bare amp electric guitar of Caleb Smith, who holds forth like a Classic Rock guitar slinger within a dark, smoky, bluesy swagger while seemingly just out alone in a garage practicing a few licks. Many of the songs sound like Smith plugs in, cranks it up, lays out the riff, and after a couple of bars, the full story, the full band bursts out of the amp—ready to fly.
Go fly a Philpot!
Thanks to Philpot and Toucan Cove for the review CD.
