Search - David Mead :: Luxury of Time

Sophisticated Pop Music

B Napier | Alexandria, VA | 09/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this disc without having had heard a note of it (or having heard of David Mead himself), based on a Washington Post review that my wife gave me to read, which related it as Britpop-sounding music from a Nashville alum. I'm completely unfamiliar with Mead's work with the band Joe, Marc's Brother, so I can't say what the musical leap was from that outfit to his solo debut, but whatever it was, it was good medicine. "The Luxury Of Time" is full of impeccable pop melodies.Although this record runs dangerously close to being over-produced--it's as slick as an ice rink--I believe the super-clean sound ultimately works in its favor. The record opens with two dynamite midtempo numbers, the ultra-catchy "Robert Bradley's Postcard" and the slightly more sedate "Sweet Sunshine", the latter of which was made for convertible-cruising down open highways. And the beautiful "Breathe You In" is a track that, in a more just world, would have been a thousand lovesick couples' dedication song to one another. Much of the album comprises ballads (especially in the last half of the disc), many of which toe the line of complete schmaltz. The achingly lovely "Landlocked", for example, sounds as if it could have been plucked from a Broadway musical. But the songs are leavened by a wicked, sometimes perverse sense of humor (with a few dirty words) and Mead's wonderful voice. In an age where few new artists seem willing (or able) to write gorgeous, timeless pop melodies without roughing them up with samples and guitar noise for a more contemporary sound, "The Luxury Of Time" stands apart by embracing its tunefulness.If you appreciate the music of Crowded House, or the post-punk output of XTC and Elvis Costello, then I highly recommend that you take this leap of faith. This is pop music for grown-up tastes, of the sort that hasn't found any airplay in this country since the eighties, and I truly hope it somehow finds its audience."

Why isn't this guy a star?

Chuck Ciany (ciany@ids.net) | 03/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In a year filled with great music releases, I have to look to David Mead as my favorite. His songs have a fabulous pop quality without being trite (think Squeeze, Elvis Costello). His voice has a range reminiscent of Tim or Jeff Buckley. Caught him perform at a small coffee shop in our neighborhood--this after having fell in love with the album. Every song was as masterful in person as it is on the album. Buy this. Play this. Love this."

Give this guy a shot.

Bill Allison | Southwest Missouri, United States | 08/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A friend of mine gave this to me as a present. I like a really wide range of music from old country to some rap to punk to metal. I really try not to shut anything out and give everything a chance. As long as an artist puts their heart into it, I'm there. Even if I don't agree with what they're saying. With David Mead, I let the cd sit in my truck about two weeks before I actually played it. Last Saturday, I was pulling another all-niter, working on a story that's been floating in my head for a while. On a break, I remembered the cd sitting in my glove-box and ran outside to get it. I put it in my cd drive with an open mind and sat back with a cup of coffee. What followed next was something that I didn't really expect. Judging from the cover of the album, I kinda half-expected something to sound like Harry Connick Jr. or someting jazzy like that. What I got was a cd that was completely awesome all the way thru. I just couldn't (and still can't) get over how good it is. Over the course of that night, (I don't sleep a whole lot) I must have spun the album five times all the way thru. I kept listening to track one over and over. I was just floored by his lyrics and the way all of the songs came together. I had to be at work early that Sunday morning so when it came time to leave, I took it out of my computer and took it with me, listening to it during my commute to work. It's been nearly a week and I have reccommended this to almost everyone I know (we talk a lot about music when work is slow). The cool thing about this is that it's accessable to almost anyone and the catchiness actually works with helping his lyrics shine even more. So, like I said, just give it a try and see what you think. I wish that I could compare him to someone but he's got a sound that's just all his own."