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review by Bill Binkelman Electronic keyboard player KevOz (Kevin Osborne) performs in several accessible subgenres making music that, while not overtly unique, is well-executed and offers pleasurable moments of enjoyment for fans of melodic synthesizer music. Lakefront is one of two albums that he has recently released, although the music was actually recorded back in 1998 (but never released back then). Osborne explores everything from warm and dramatic romanticism (a la Yanni, Ciani, and similar artists) on cuts like the opening title track, as well as rolling new age pop ("Sailing Hearts"), trippy sunshine-filled electronica ("Moonlight Drive" and "My Little Angel [The Happy Song]"), haunting EM ("New Cool" which was also on his previous album, Into Orbit, and is an outstanding track), and high energy dance floor techno ("Dreamscape"). In most cases, Osborne displays his distinct strengths while revealing few weaknesses. The man can definitely compose a wickedly catchy hook! "Moonlight Drive" is tasty ear candy! Yum! The refrain is damn near hummable and the tom tom beats are ass-shakin' and toe-tappin' as well. And while I can't get enthusiastic about "My Little Angel" from a song title perspective, its panning effect synth echoes, sunny melody, scratch beats, horn sample, and overall sense of good cheer and sheer joy are damn near irresistible! Ditto the high energy pulsing synths and bass drum beats of "Nightride." One nit I would pick with the album, though, is that on a few occasions, the drums are just too "there" (especially during segments in the two versions of the title track). They almost approach power ballad intensity and volume and, as such, they overpower what is already a strong melody. Luckily, in both those cases, this doesn't happen until well into each song. And, truthfully, I never minded it enough to skip the song. I would have just mixed the drums (bass drums in particular) down a bit. If you like the smoother and more accessible side of electronic music, where the synths still sound "synthy" at times (although Osborne uses a piano sound too) but the songs themselves approach an adult contemporary sound (i.e. traditional song structure featuring the use of refrain, motif, and bridge between repeating verses), Lakefront may be for you. Some may hear it as a tad on the low tech side, but it's never less than professional and what the artist lacks in high-gloss sheen he more than makes up for with crafting enjoyable tunes (after all, studio wizardry in the service of crappy music is a waste). In short, as long as you check your pretensions at the door, you can kick back and have a blast with the lightweight but still fun grooves and rhythms of Lakefront. Recommended. |
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