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Non-Prog CD Reviews

Bill Mumy

Circular

Review by Gary Hill

The name Bill Mumy might be familiar to you. Perhaps you remember him as Will Robinson on Lost In Space. Or perhaps you think of his Babylon 5 character. Well, did you know that he’s also a successful musician? This is his latest disc and it shows a definite talent for songcraft and performance. There’s not a weak tune on show and the variety from piece to piece keeps it from becoming at all redundant.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2009  Volume 2 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review
Never Gonna Stop
Old school rock and roll textures make up this smoking cut. This has a really bleak view of the modern world and some lyrics that get a parental advisory warning.
You Know You Never Know
Tom Petty meets the Byrds on this. Of course, Tom Petty has often been quite Byrds influenced over the years, so that combination is not a huge stretch of the imagination.
Johnny's Gone To Heaven
The format isn’t drastically different here, but this track doesn’t feel redundant, but rather fresh and vibrant.
Man Of Pride
The leanings aren’t precisely the same here, but this is a solid roots rock number. 
Care
Here is a mellower song that’s quite stirring.
A Deal's A Deal
More of a rocker, this one is definitely bluesy and at times reminds me of Led Zeppelin. The lyrics on this again get a parental warning. 
The Heart's Fantasy
Mellow, intricate and very pretty, this is a great song. It’s possibly my favorite here and nearly fits into progressive rock. There are also some elements that make me think of early Neil Young. 
Don't Have Anything
An acoustically driven ballad, Bob Dylan comes to mind on this one. .
Turn Yourself Around
I can hear hints of Tom Petty on this one, too, but it’s a mellow balladic number. There are also some bluesy jazz oriented elements to the track. 
The Past Won't Be Denied
Another mellow one this is a bit grittier. It’s got some definite bluesy elements to it. 
History
Pretty and delicate, this balladic cut is rather progressive rock like in nature in the introductory section. It shifts out into a banjo driven rather Beatles-like movement – that heightens the progressive rock nature of this. In fact, this is a very diverse and dynamic piece of music that would be quite at home on a prog rock disc. 
Circular Blues
This one is bluesy. It’s also pretty and ballad-like. It’s an instrumental and a nice change of pace. 
Hereby Invited
Banjo brings a down home texture, but in many ways this feels like Tom Petty meets Porcupine Tree. It’s a tasty cut and one of my favorites on show here.
I'll Seeya Around
Mumy closes things with a little old-time pop music dittie.
 
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