“Maybe Things Will Be Alright” — A Review

Jim Allen is a New York-based singer-songwriter who’s been creating memorable music for over 30 years now. Since his 1996 debut album Weeper’s Stomp, he’s been writing and recording songs that nimbly hop across genres, including rock, pop, New Wave, and alt country, with a bit of folk tossed in between the notes for good measure. Along the way, he’s found time to front the well-regarded power pop outfit, Lazy Lions, the country group The Ramblin’ Kind, and maintain a career as a music journalist, writing about music for Billboard, NPR, and right here at CultureSonar as well.

His latest release, Maybe Things Will Be Alright, is a terrific record that will thrill long-time followers of his work and hopefully gain him a bunch of new fans. The album features a dozen marvelous songs, all penned by Jim, including the country-esque “Let My People Go To Sleep,” the edgy rocker “They Get Up,” and the touching acoustic ballad “Cry Until You’re Done.” There are also some notable guest stars on the disc, including Richard Barone of The Bongos, who’s featured on “In A Cave,” which, despite its stark feeling, spotlights some sprightly 1960s-style keyboards. Peter Holsapple, the co-leader of the much-revered band The dBs, contributes vocals and lead guitar to the power pop-flavored title track.

Maybe Things Will Be Alright also includes the guitar-infused “It’s Hard,” which has a bit of a Traveling Wilburys vibe, the roots rock-infused “Downpour Blue,” and the piano-centric, New Wave-styled “Panic Button,” a satirical look at our technology-obsessed world.

Jim’s sly sense of humor and talent for clever wordplay surface on the moody “Underground,” while he displays his balladeer side on the tender “For Byron.” The thoughtful, expressionistic “Where I Am” includes appearances from a pair of psychedelic era veterans, Dorothy Moskowitz (of The United States of America) on vocals and Paul Conly (of Lothar and The Hand People) on synthesizers.

The record is anchored by Jim’s deep, smoky vocals and strong guitar work. His amazing bandmates include Steve Goulding (of Mekons and Graham Parker & The Rumour) on drums, Matt “Scrappy” Applebaum on electric and acoustic guitars, ukulele, and harmony vocals, C.P. Roth on keyboards, and Paul Foglino on bass. The vocalists whose top-notch work can be heard throughout the disc include Rembert Block, Lizzie Edwards, Erica Smith, and Byron Isaacs.

Maybe Things Will Be Alright is an exceptional album. No matter what genre the tune ends up landing in, the dozen tracks on this record are superb compositions that amply display Jim Allen’s talent and his gift for crafting exceptional music.

-John Visconti

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