Caprice CD review
Reviewed by JB
My year’s most anticipated release is here! From the first moment I met and heard Caprice, I loved their sound and couldn’t wait until I could listen to their tunes on my next road trip. July 2007 marked the moment, my anticipation was over, and for the last couple of months I have listened and dissected this album inside and out. And what I have discovered is…..
The album is not only self-titled but also self-produced and mixed by Caprice with help from Michael Saint-Leon of the Switchyard in Nashville. The album artwork is done by Daniel Brasuell, Caprice’s very own drummer. In some combination or another, all the songs were a collaboration of Caprice’s members. My point, is there anything they didn’t do themselves on this cd? Yeah, one thing, the photographs (they’re by 81 Photography) but I bet they chose which ones to use so that really doesn’t count.
The monster machine known as Caprice is Tony Higbee on vocals/guitar, Cody Higbee on bass, and Daniel Brasuell on the skins. Additional musicians are Jesse Floyd on guitar and backing vocals and Kristine Brasuell plays piano on “Halo”. Now back to the album, as for the packaging, it is a simple yet attracting cover and the inside sleeve is factual without the “too much information” factor. Good job, guys, open up and you’re ready to dig in to the music. Shall we…
Track 1 blast off with one of my personal faves “Loser of The World”. Hey, we’ve all had that feeling, right?! I’ll admit it! Well this song puts it in a whole new perspective with a driving bass line and chunky guitars; it’s ok to be a loser when you rock like these guys. This song could definitely be the breakthrough hit for Caprice. What’s that number to the Buzz again?
“Anthem” is another one of those scream along songs that makes you want to pump your fist in the air. It begins at a high, keeps you there, levels off a bit with some crafty drums, and then they break out the massive guitars to blow your freaking mind! Man, these guys know how to write songs with catchy hooks.
Thirdly, “Helen (When It’s Gone)” is an electric story about a girl who smokes too much. No, actually my interpretation is of loss, pain, and addiction. The music is steadfast but not too overwhelming which makes the lyrics the focal point. So far, this album is right on!
Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to the fourth track, the monster ballad! “Halfway There” is the anthem for anyone who has chased a dream but became sidetracked by excessive tendencies. It is full of muddy guitars, thunderous drums, and a voice almost as dreamy as Jon Bon Jovi (a younger old school Bon Jovi). That is a compliment, really! Excellent song!
“What You Need” gives you what you want! I think it may become my favorite song. This killer intro leads into a hard rocking masterpiece with brooding lyrics. It’s dark and hardcore. At the end of the day, this song leaves you with nothing else to say. Caprice got it right.
The guys really put their feelings out there with this upbeat ballad. “Death of You and I” is a well written relationship ending cry with which anyone can relate. The chunky guitars are back growling one moment then screeching the next. More please.
“Am I your God or devil…Am I what you need?” Aaah, this was the song that made me love Caprice! I had it on MySpace profile for weeks, I told my friends about it, and it made it to the cd, woo-hoo! “Karma” is one of those grind worthy ditties that even though you know all the words and can sing along, it’s the music that gets you pumped. And oh how it does!
A drum roll kicks off “Dyin’ Ain’t Much of a Livin’” which is a play on words ode with lots of Skynard-like guitars. Although the ending of the song is quite different and intriguing, the song is just kind of there.
Here’s another new fave…“Halo” is head banging strong. The ever befitting lyrics made me think of those few people I hold grudges towards and the irony made me giggle. That Tony Higbee is one cool lyric writing fool! And the serene piano bridge only adds to it, beautiful!
Track 10 is a power ballad about survival of that lost love. “Again” tells the story of how sometimes leaving the life we know, no matter how bad it is, can seem inescapable. To make things worse we push away the people who truly love us. We do all fall down sometimes.
“All These Lies” has a little kick drum, crunchy guitars, and drop bass. I’m almost at a loss of words…all these songs are so properly constructed. There’s only so many times you want to read, this song is great!
The last single on the album is the perfect swinging your arm left to right closing song. “Tied to Be Fit” has this depth of maturity, achievement, and absolute. Do I really need to say more?
Oh! But wait…there’s a hidden track! Caprice does Thin Lizzy! The guys do a remarkable version of the “Cowboy Song” which is available on the 1976 Jailbreak release. I’m curious to why they chose this song…I bet there is one great inside story to that one!
You know what I loved most about this album??? I’ll give you a hint…it’s the same thing I hated about the album…the rough edges. Confused? Good, allow me to explain…ever bought a cd (yeah, I’m old skool, I actually buy cds), anyway…you buy the cd, listen to it, memorize the songs, but when you see the band live they sound nothing like the cd? This is commonly called the studio born band and the industry is full of them. Well, the first few times I listened to the album I almost didn’t like it.
Tony Higbee not only shares lead guitar duties but he is the vocals. Because he is busy up and down the fret board shredding those strings, his voice sometimes can sound strained or cracked. I expected the studio to cover these imperfections but they didn’t. So, my argument was why go into the studio spending all that time and money and not be faultless? Then one day while listening, it clicked! Caprice gives us their raw performance version on this album. After coming to my senses, I came to respect the guys in the band and the album a lot more. What is recorded is what is on the stage live! They proved they are not a studio band; and I love it because it is 100% Caprice!
So, there it is…my year’s most anticipated release did not disappoint. Overall I give the album an A-. The lyrics are incredible and the music is phenomenal! Brothers Higbee and Danielson, you have made a great debut to introduce the world to Caprice! Congratulations! I will see you soon on the scene!
Horns Up \m/!!!
JB@Nashvillerock.net
JB35679@hotmail.com
www.myspace.com/jb35679