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CD REVIEW: Muller & Patton - "Muller & Patton"
By Gian F - 04/15/2005 - 11:22 PM EDT

Artist: Band: Muller & Patton
CD Review: Genre: Alternative Rock
Sounds Like: The Beatles, Queen, Simon & Garfunkel, Elvis Costello
Technical Grade: 9
Production/Musicianship Grade: 10
Commercial Value: 8
Overall Talent Level: 9
Songwriting Skills: 9
Performance Skill: 10
Best Songs: Life Preserver, Mary Lou, After You Cum, We Oughta Work Together, I Want My Mommy
Weakness: ?
CD Review: Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! That's not the way I normally start off my reviews, but in this case, and in honor of the debut project I received from Jay Muller And Ben Patton, a band and songwriting team from London, England, it's very appropriate. Their CD doesn't contain songs; it contains compositions which feature beautiful arrangements, dazzling musicianship, unconventional song structure, creative flair, and cavalier lyrics.

The commercial value of this project stems from its originality and uniqueness - not from its ability to mirror current chart-topping songs or modern production techniques. On the contrary, it is purely organic; utilizing bass, drums, guitar, flugelhorn, and trumpet with a retro-sixties/seventies twist which could make it tough for radio to select a single from a repertoire of this quality and depth (though my industry instincts lead me to believe that American radio would be partial to the more simplistic "After You Cum" for formatting reasons).

I chose "Life Preserver" as the stand-out commercial track because of its catchy hook, radio-friendly arrangement, and lyrical ingenuity. It could easily be mistaken as an un-realeased Beatle's song. The same could be said of the poignant "Mary Lou," the obvious follow-up. Both songs exemplify the strength, musical spectrum, and identity of Muller And Patton.

Though their harmonies are stronger than their leads, their songs take on personality and character as they blaze through genres and influences like wildfire in a dry grass field; torching their competition with humor and style in the process as evidenced on my personal favorite tracks on the CD, "We Oughta Work Together," which has them doing jazz - the Muller And Patton way and "Girl In A Restaurant," which showcases their refined harmonizing skills.

Muller And Patton has made their music teachers, fans, and parents proud with this project. That's quite an achievement.

Advice: Don't change your style of music for anyone. There is a place for you in this industry. Be patient enough to find it.

www.mullerandpatton.com


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