JOE RATHBONE
I Can Hear the Windows of Your Heart Breaking
(Zakz Records)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Full disclosure: I have a soft spot in my heart for singer songwriters who can bring me back to the day when Marshall Crenshaw and Graham Parker emerged on the pop music scene. That puts me smack-dab in the over the hill demographic, but Joe Rathbone brings me back to those days when I lived for the next stadium or night club show, as well as sale LPs that cost an hour's wages. Yep, I'm dating myself, but I celebrate records that are built around memorable hooks and harmonies. "I Wanna Talk to You" and the title cut remind me of early Marshall Crenshaw ("Someday Someway," "There She Goes Again"). These two songs, just like Crenshaw's pop, feature jangly guitars and accessible hooks that recall early power pop of the late 70's and early 80's. "Everything's About to Be Beautiful" is in the same boat, as is most of this record, which features many more positive songs than the title suggests.

Track List:

Learning to Fly * I Can Hear the Windows of Your Heart Breaking * You Make the World Go Round * I'm Gonna Make It Up to You * Take Me With You * I Wanna Talk to You * Take Off and Fly * Everything's About to Be Beautiful * Hometown Queen * Lookin' for Me

© 2004 - Eric Steiner