Because of Hutch Heelan, I've now heard of EFT, which stands for emotional freedom techniques, and, as far as I can tell, involves tapping on different parts of your body to relieve pain, anxiety, and other bad feelings.I know this because the opening track, "Confidence," on Heelan's new solo album, Mercury Music, features EFT advocate David Childerley reading such phrases as, "I choose to feel calm, and humble ... I choose to feel energized," backed by a new-agey echoing synth, soothing beat, and some noodling guitar.
It's a fitting opening to a trip of an album, empowering and uplifting in its own way, that's a bit schizophrenic in the way solo albums with a bunch of guests can be (10 or so musicians appear), but also sort of by design (I think the liner notes have the songs out of order, maybe on purpose). Heelan plays with deliveries and genres, croons and belts, is political and isn't, and largely creates enjoyable and interesting music.
"What Will Be" ponders war and its participants in a Coldplay way, with some soaring choruses and a falsetto or two. Some of the rhythms (on "My Own Skin," especially) will remind you of Pete Kilpatrick's records, which makes sense considering Heelan's former role as Kilpatrick's bassist. "OK" pops with horns while Heelan struts, "I talked to God today," and apes the Psychedelic Furs or David Byrne.
The album isn't incoherent or unhinged, but revels in variety and feels free-form and unconcerned with trying to fit any specific mold.
HUTCH HEELAN + LIT ON THE FLASH | the Big Easy | July 24
