This single marks a return to original music for Corey Cross AKA Goodcorz for the first time in more than twenty years, and here he has been joined by Anton Harris (drums), Phil Doublet (ukulele, steel guitar), and Greg Mannering (bass, backing vocals). It took me a while to think who this reminded me of, but then it came to me, The Peppercorns, a British band who released an album back in the 90’s (Brothers) who had a very similar style. It contains elements of Americana and Country combined with a singer/songwriter who has vocals with some wonderful gravel. While the main approach is quite simplistic in its directness, there is a lot going on with the steel and the ukulele to ensure there are plenty of touches which ensure it repays repeated listening’s. There are also some really nice bass flourishes, but not too many, just enough to show a wonderful sense of melody.
The arrangement is geared to keep the vocals front and centre at all times, and rightly so as Corey comes across as a mix between Steve Earle and Jimmy Barnes. The short unaccompanied harmony vocal section is in just the right place, lifting the song after the bridge, and one can imagine the chorus being a singalong at gigs. Hopefully this is the first in a lot more music from Goodcorz
About the author Kev Rowland
From 1990 – 2006 I ran Feedback fanzine in the UK, writing about bands that were rarely covered in the mainstream press, many of whom were in the underground scene. I built close ties with many British Progressive groups in particular, including writing the newsletter for Freewill, getting gigs for Credo and writing the introduction to Galahad’s OCMDII compilation. I reviewed literally thousands of cassettes and then CDs from bands from throughout the world, and was lucky enough to interview many of them. During this period I also contributed to the French progzine Acid Dragon, wrote for the music newspaper Rock ‘n’ Reel and was also involved with the Ghostland website. In 2006 I moved to NZ, and stopped running Feedback (which was then renamed Amplified after I left, at my request) having produced over 80 editions with more than 11,000 pages of print and heaven knows how many reviews
More by Kev Rowland
Gig Review: Crushfest @ The Tuning Fork, Auckland – 07/07/2023
Single Review: Love and War
Single Review: All This Time
Single Review: Sons of Savages
Gig Review: Stray Dogs @ AUX, Auckland – 26/05/2023
Gig Review: Turkey The Bird @ The Ministry of Folk, Auckland – 27/05/2023
Single Review: Beautiful Creature
Gig Review: Emily Rice @ Your Local Coffee Roasters, Pukekohe – 24/05/2023
EP Review: Bridge City Crew
Single Review: Your Heart of Gold
Single Review: The Strangest Dream
Single Review: No Funeral Blues
