The Dress Falls
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 11/27/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Barry Mauer's solo disc is a melodic charmer with indy rock appeal. Six of the 14 songs clock in under 2 minutes and fly by like classic rock format. As a vocalist, Maurer has a high wispy voice that coaxes the melody rather than overwhelms it. On the title track, the guitars chime like mid-period Byrds, "Why did the painters paint like that? The light comes through the clouds like that, and the dress falls from the chest to please some king like you please me." "No Love Won" starts like a classic Neil Diamond track and then breezes by, "Other boys treat you so unkind, but you don't pay them any mind." "Sunlight Through an Open Window" is an acoustic guitar instrumental that flows like a gentle beam of light. "Provisional Love" is a clunky little tune about love given for the moment with harmonies that'd make Harpers Bizarre smile. "Claire's Song" is another acoustic instrumental dedicated to Mauer's girlfriend. "Don't Touch Me" rocks with a tongue-in-cheek lyric about a guy who gets too aroused when his girlfriend shows affection. The set concludes with homage to the band in "Velvet Underground." Mauer's solo set may not be earth-shattering in sound; but it is a very sweet set for anyone who looks back fondly on 60s rock. Enjoy!"
Some Incredible Songs
Lee Armstrong | 02/02/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"These are some of the best pop songs I've heard in a long time. That they come from an obscure musician who works as a professor for his day job makes this CD a really remarkable find. The music here grows on you. I've listened to it a hundred times."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1