Search - Michael Holland :: Beach Toys Wont Save You

Mikey Lightens Up!

Dolly Spalding | Tucson, AZ | 05/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Whereas "Darkness Falls" took a more angst-ridden and melancholy stance in its songs and themes, "Beach Toys" is definitely more upbeat and bright. Michael even shows up in the liner notes with startling bleached-blond hair, further demonstrating a new and optimistic (or at least more positive) approach for this particular CD. From the very first song, "Wish You Were Here," to the amazingly tender and lyrical "More," he once again demonstrates his prowess as a fabulous songwriter and singer, with that voice seeming to effortlessly soar up the octaves and then drop back down to a growl, all the while perfectly on pitch (with none of that annoying slipping and sliding and reaching to hit a note that so many so-called pop singers practice). Highlights for me include the raucous and rocking "Boys Say Go," the almost unbearably sad "Everything in the Whole Wide World," the deliciously joyous "(It Came As) No Surprise" and "Firefly IX" (I consider that a terrifically satisfactory song on every level--music, lyrics, beat, sentiment). But I have to say that I'm often inclined to hit the repeat button on my player for "More" and just listen to it again and again. It's so deceptively simple, so precisely melodic, so perfectly a match of a singer and his piano. I'm in love!"