 LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ Sunset Records) - Clayton Road is one of those bands that are hard to categorize today. The bands overall sound seems to draw that fine line between roots Americana alternative style of rock music, to what would be considered mainstream rock 'n roll music. "His (Michael Purvis) songwriting is excellent," says Don Lichterman who is the head of Sunset Records, "He/They remind me of Cracker or Camper Van Beethoven or even David Lowery when he does his solo stuff." Not that Lichterman wants to pigeon hold them into a specific style of music, "I am just not sure how to describe the band to the press," says Lichterman, "I like every song in its own way. His vox are unique which I love about his music and I think I would describe Cracker or Camper in that same way when I was growing listening to that music." Clayton Road's "Alright" CD is conventional and inspires from artists from many eras. There is an obvious quirkiness in the music and yet it is hip to what is going on in every day life. The Sunset Records debut Clayton Road CD coalesces the best of early influences of legendary rock acts such as The Band and The Grateful Dead; and brings you today's 'odd subject matter coupled with blending the words of what are day to day slices of life and even the occasional experiments that make the songs seem out of place to what the norm what do with the music. Singer/guitarist Michael Purvis is mainly known as the front man of Clayton Road which he started a few years ago in the Newcastle area of the United Kingdom. "Maybe that is what attracted me to Michaels songs," says Lichterman, "the fact that they are so American yet he is from Newcastle of places." What you get on this "Alright" CD being release at Sunset Records on July 29th is a crazy eclectic CD of rock music with all kinds of arrangements that work. The album's opener, "The Shape Of Things To Come" is a track that sounds as if it was recorded to be played at a European 80s style club. It's catchy, and has some challenging lyrics. The same goes for the more poppy-rocker "Mercury," which shows that even the most basic chords with songs that have hooks can go a long way in this industry. The catchy "Wrapped Around," is a song that has those extra avenues with hooks at many points in the song. This song is also the perfect sample of Clayton Road mixing that Americana style with a driving rock sound. The single "Man In The Hat" is another song that will get you in that great upbeat mood. Their quirky line such as "The man in the hat says" is right out of a British comedy movie. The entire CD is strong because of the guitar sound, the great hooks and upbeat positive songs. "Long Time Coming" is a great driving song that has accessible lyrics. The album continues with songs that have great guitar drives which are the case on the song that is also the album name, "Alright." The "Alright" CD is perfectly fine debut CD for Clayton Road and Michael Purvis. The entire CD does not have one bad song, Clayton Road proves today that Purvis' first project is worth a listen, despite the fact that you will listen more than one time. This is an album that is mainstream rock album that has a traditional sound on every song. The Americana sounding CD has a harder drive than every day country and folk style of music. The Clayton Road "Alright" CD an album well worth having in your collection.
| 
