Former Moist frontman David Usher has always made what is perhaps best known as sensitive new-age guy's pop music; catchy songs with deep female appeal. The thing that separates Usher from other hearthrob types is that he ... more »isn't formulaic; his love of music is genuinely sourced from sincerity. Usher's fourth solo record, If God Had Curves is as simple and un-slick as anything he has ever done; it isn't underproduced, just raw and honest. Usher has an obvious fondness for the simple-structured love song and of bare-bones human stories. The disc?s first track "Long Goodbye" is fully indicative of the influences of other inspirations on his own craft. The song includes a gorgeous, warm guitar solo from Canadian songwriting legend Bruce Cockburn, playing over a loop of a sample from punk rock/new wave troupe Le Tigre. The result is old-wood warm and beautiful. Track two starts with a sound clip of respected feminist Gloria Steinem; so begins the disc's first single "Love Will Save The Day" a joyful, lyrically challenging number disguised as a pop song. Bonus points to the singer for the song "Hey Kids", a whimsical, sardonic musical march highlighted by Tegan Quin, of Tegan & Sarah fame. As is the case with other David Usher records, the one thing missing is his preference for writing pretty-sounding prose and societal commentary over really pulling out personal stories from the rawest part of his soul?but there?s always hoping. --Denise Sheppard« less
Former Moist frontman David Usher has always made what is perhaps best known as sensitive new-age guy's pop music; catchy songs with deep female appeal. The thing that separates Usher from other hearthrob types is that he isn't formulaic; his love of music is genuinely sourced from sincerity. Usher's fourth solo record, If God Had Curves is as simple and un-slick as anything he has ever done; it isn't underproduced, just raw and honest. Usher has an obvious fondness for the simple-structured love song and of bare-bones human stories. The disc?s first track "Long Goodbye" is fully indicative of the influences of other inspirations on his own craft. The song includes a gorgeous, warm guitar solo from Canadian songwriting legend Bruce Cockburn, playing over a loop of a sample from punk rock/new wave troupe Le Tigre. The result is old-wood warm and beautiful. Track two starts with a sound clip of respected feminist Gloria Steinem; so begins the disc's first single "Love Will Save The Day" a joyful, lyrically challenging number disguised as a pop song. Bonus points to the singer for the song "Hey Kids", a whimsical, sardonic musical march highlighted by Tegan Quin, of Tegan & Sarah fame. As is the case with other David Usher records, the one thing missing is his preference for writing pretty-sounding prose and societal commentary over really pulling out personal stories from the rawest part of his soul?but there?s always hoping. --Denise Sheppard
CD Reviews
Undress Desire
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 07/04/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Apparently, this was a Canadian-only release, but is well worth checking out down here South of the Border. David Usher's "Hallucinations" and "Morning Orbit" were excellent discs with flashes of brilliance. What Usher does sonically that is exceptional is create a sense of urgency that is both lyrically complex and melodically original. On "Faithless" his guitars create a sonic waterfall that reach high and low in the matter of a measure, "Can't fake a life so beautiful, can't escape a world so faithless." On "Going Home" his voice soars for a measure and then falls into a gentle caressing hush, "I'm seeing the car crash, the end of the love song, and even now I can't make it back where you are." Usher uses Gloria Steinham's words in the catchy "Love Will the Say the Day" that alternates between spoken word, simple chorus and walls of guitar. "Everything Is All Right By Me" is a classic Usher tune as he creates tension with a simple repeated piano line, insurgent percussion and the complex lyric, "Take one last look, Mine is not the one wanting, Undress desire." (Maybe this line refers to the cover's visual image!) With his latest release "If God Has Curves," Usher continues to be one of the most interesting artists working. Literally, I don't miss any of his releases. Bravo!"
Back to his "Little Songs" roots - and that's a good thing
Leslie K | Portland, OR | 01/03/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm a fan of David Usher going back to the early Moist days, and there is nothing he has released that I do not own and love. As with any artist, there are standouts, and this album is one of them. David Usher returns to his roots in an album that resembles his first solo outing, "Little Songs" in it's honesty and simplicity, and that's a formula that works.
Of all Usher's solo releases, Little Songs is by far the best, but here he has managed a close second. I enjoyed everything in between, but when I put this CD in my car stereo when it finally arrived (I had pre-ordered it from Maple Music and was waiting impatiently) I knew my favourite male singer-songerwriter was in rare form from the first song. This album feels real, raw, and emotional without crossing the line into cheesiness - a line David Usher has walked and even crossed in previous releases. The only song I don't particularly care for is "Hey Kids", but that's a personal taste, it's too bouncy for me. Standouts in my opinion are "Everything is Alright By Me Now", "The Wolves" and "See You Fall"
If you enjoy well-crafted songs by a talented musician who truly loves his art, this album is for you. But please, don't just buy this one, go get "Little Songs" too - a beautiful frame for a great solo career - so far. Keep it coming, David!
"
Everything is alright by me now
jo | toronto | 05/07/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this fourth solo album by david usher continues to prove that he's never been just a pretty face - but that he's becoming one of our most brilliant and talented singer/songwriters.... earnest and moving tracks like 'souring' and 'the long goodbye' sit nicely beside the sardonic bite of 'hey kids' and the darkly moving 'everything is alright by me now'. 'going home' and 'faithless' seems to be both more obviously personal tracks than david usually gives us including mentions of his child and new home-base of nyc.the only complaint on this album is that it's over all too soon."
Always Amazing
Chelsea Smith | Vancouver, BC, Canada | 05/09/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I simply love this CD. I haven't been able to turn it off since I bought it. For me it doesn't quite top his first album, Little Songs, but it comes in a close second. It has a nice mix of moody, introspective ballads and catchy, up-beat tunes. One of my favourite songs on this new album is the whimsical "Hey Kids". It's so outside of the realm of what David normally does, but he pulls it off wonderfully. Basically, this album won't leave you disappointed!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1