If all goes well, Ike Reilly won’t be lumped in with the crop of garage rock revivalists.  Don’t let the lo-fi production and guitar riffs fool you.  Reilly is a singer/songwriter with possibilities and a range much broader than most artists who are labeled as singer/songwriters.

That label also assumes two things; that the artist has an interesting voice and the ability to write interesting songs.  Reilly has both abilities, as his songs are different and varied, his voice echoes a little of Bob Dylan, but Reilly bends and stretches with more frequency than Dylan.

To finally get to the point, Sparkle in the Finish is a diverse and exciting album.  Each song stands out on its own but they all meld together to form a cohesive whole.  Reilly’s writing is quirky at times but his lyrics are original and the songs are appealing.  His songs are full of the characters that can be found in songs by Tom Waits, but Reilly’s work is more accessible and smoothed over by the melody’s and guitar riffs.  

Sparkle in the Finish sounds like an electric folk album.  Like folk albums, Reilly’s strength is in the lyrics.  They are smart, literate, funny and his use of language and ideas is fascinating and thought-provoking.

“I Don’t Want What You Got (Goin’ On)” is the first track and sounds a little like Sublime’s, “What I’ve Got”.  And that is the only example of Reilly’s music sounding like anybody else.

“It’s Allright to Die” starts as a swinging rock song which is then interrupted by an unexpected acoustic section.  Unexpected, but it fits perfectly.  “The Boat Song (We’re Getting Loaded)” is propelled by keyboards and samples that spotlight one of Reilly’s smoother vocal performances.

“Garbage Day” is just a simple catchy rock song.  “Ballad of the Choir Boy Bank Robbery” is a slow swaggering song, with Reilly proclaiming, “I’m only in it for the money.”  Those are only a few of the songs, but everyone is a standout track.

Ike Reilly has all of the tools to create exciting music.  His music is smart, interesting, different, has swagger, has feelings; some of the best traits that music has to offer.  Sparkle in the Finish would be a 5 star album but Ike Reilly will only get better.  We have that 5 star album to look forward to.
 
 

• Visit the Official website.
• Listen to samples and Purchase this CD online
• Our Dec 2001 Artist of the Month special for Ike's debut

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