Hutch
Hollylake and Silverwood
By Dimitri
(SugarBuzz USA)
SugarBuzz Magazine
America's coolest record label, Rank-Outsider Records, brings ya the latest silvery disc by Hutch-the spiritual alchemists, also known as Joseph and Jimmy Hutchinson.
The Hutchinson family has endured way more than their fair share of personal tragedy, but somehow, like the Wilson's, they continue to smile, like everything is cool, and transform their hardships and suffering into vivid songs glimmering with bikini-summers, ice cream trucks, and blue skies. They turn lead into gold. Pain into beauty. They're wizards and true stars!
In the nineties, Poptopia power-pop purists and Silverlake skinny tie scenesters all rallied around Hutchinson's records like "Plastic Fruit and Popcorn", and "Turn It Around", excellent albums that won them many comparisons to rock royals like Jellyfish, Cheap Trick, Big Star, and the Rasberries.
Scuzzy glam-trash sluts, and burntout glitter monkeys, like you and me, may recognize the Hutchinsons, as former members of the purple-haired cult-band, the Zeros, who were like the Ramones of the Sunset Strip, in the late eighties/early nineties. Their bubble-gummy classic album, "4, 3, 2, 1..." influenced loads of underground glam brats, like Queeney Blast Pop, Seaweed Eaters, the Glamour Punks, and the Mistakes. Everyone misses the Coconut Teaszer, and fondly remembers when it was painted purple, in tribute to them.
Joe Hutchinson, the solo artiste' reminds many of Jason Falkner from Jellyfish and the Three O'Clock. He is one of those artists, whose foot-high press-kit would lead you to believe he's a major label career artist, so plush is the appropriately violet prose so often employed by professional music journalists to attempt description of their potent brand of sleek and prolific, youthful rock'n'roll that's so ideally-suited for stadiums and convertibles.
Were it still possible for good music to be played on Corporate-Radio, I'm certain their music could appeal to several generations: people who dig the Kinks, people who liked Oasis, and kids who are currently stuck with the Jonas Brothers. He's written songs for Stiv Bator, as well as Sammy Hagar, appeared in a Dramarama video, and he even got hugged by the very King Of L.A. rock'n'roll-Hagar's former nemesis, Diamond David Lee Roth.
Joe has also lent his masterful harmonies, and savvy guitar heroics to the eternally under-rated, Queen/Babys-influenced, Silverlake super-group, SLOW MOTORCADE, which also-starred various members of the Andersons, Spiders N Snakes, Black Cherry, B-Movie Rats, and Jack Atlantis. He's like the true rock-underground's very own, Ray Davies-quietly, and confidently, penning song after song of instantly humble melodies one finds oneself singing along with, almost involuntarily.
Most bands put their strongest song either first, or third, on an album, but Hutch placed "Living With Me" as track 12--what a toe-tapper! The lead-off track, "Bringing Me Down" uses some Pete Ham/Paul McCartneyesque chord progression to thumb-nail the loathsome plight that plagues the working-class, and divides so many U.S. households, in the grasping-upward, "Sex In The City"/"Desperate Housewives" age of want-want-want. Sort of a throwback to a time when artists cared about more than their merchandise-table, or telling you they've posted two new pictures of themselves on Myspace, Hutch has never been shy about taking a controversial leadership position, whether that leads him to performing at war protests, when it's not popular to do so, or by using his voice to expose the criminal Thimerosal cover-up. "Bringing Me Down" is a lovely bit of social commentary, and musically reminiscent of Badfinger.
If you've ever bought a copy of "Yeah Yeah Yeah", "Amplifier", or "Yellow Pills" magazines, Hutch is likely already a hero of yours, but personally, I think he's a lot better at this sorta Beatle-derivative, futuristic, retro-pop than Enuff Z'Nuff, Butch Walker, or Tal Bachman. My only faint criticism is that I'd like to hear him break-out of the mid-tempo melancholy and jangle, more often, and really let loose--with some of that flashy Ric Nielsen/Jimmy McCulloch/Jim Ellison-style hard pop he excels at. I'd like more rock candy with all the candy-floss. Even Macca released a "Helen Wheels" or "Helter Skelter" for every "Say Say Say", or "Just Another Day".
"Crown Chakra" reminds me of "Stuck In Wonderamaland"-era Dramarama, and when most people attempt this kinda dreamy psychedelia, it comes off like that awful new-agey, techno-shit 'your girlfriend's bisexual yoga-instructor is so fond of. The Hutchinsons really have a feel for music that's cinematic, or hallucinogenic, without ever becoming corny, trite, or cliché, like so many of their less-imaginative peers. If you love Kyle Vincent, Imperial Drag, or Redd Kross, give this a listen.
When Joe wants to let loose and really rock, like he does as a member of Slow Motorcade, he's definitely got the fire. "All The Money in the World" is a hard pop rocker that reminds me of Rick Springfield's best stuff. Joe Hutchinson is a world-class talent definitely worthy of your attention. Perhaps it would be interesting to see him collaborate sometimes with an angrier counter-part, to provide some more vitriol, venom, and battery- acid, to maybe compliment all that stardusted melody and lemonade. His already diverse oeuvre could only benefit from a renewed influx of influences, and maybe some less upbeat, dastardly-deed-doer should come along to sorta spike the watermelon, from time to time, add some grit and viscera. Sorta like when McCartney and Costello worked together on "Veronica", or Costello and Bacharach--or the famous Lennon ad lib, "It can't get no worse"--ya know wot I mean?
Hutch is a story-tellin' man, who most always takes the high road, who plays smart, conscious, grown-up pop, for people who love heart-felt rock'n'roll. Outstanding, emotional music that stays with you all day. If you have a radio-show, or podcast, add his unforgettable songs to your playlist, and help let the people know there are still songwriters currently crafting music with this much substance.
This kinda sunny music makes me think of sneaking into drive-in's. Of fireworks and vintage car shows. "Hollylake And Silverwood " is like a bomb-pop on the front porch, while the girls all tan on towels, in the neighbor's yard. It'll make you feel young again. And ain't that what real rock'n'roll is for?? To help you remember, and forget?!! Shine on, Hutch Brothers. The world needs more like you!