By Keith Walsh
Tom Cridland told me he’s tempted to create a popular song designed to satisfy all the criteria that radio and streaming services require to make a hit. So far he has resisted these temptations. He’s spent the past two years or so creating an exceptionally professional set of recordings — just released as a boxed set of 107 songs — all of them based on the classic sounds and vibes that he loves the most.
Here’s the backstory: In February of 2019 Cridland told me would be leaving his young rock band The Tomicks, for which he served as drummer and vocalist, for a solo career, with the ambitious goal of writing, recording, and releasing a song a week for an indefinite period. I wasn’t sure how he’d pull it off.
It wasn’t long before Cridland was in the midst of a tour of the 48 continental U.S states, while at the same time releasing dozens of singles, roughly one a week, varying in styles from funk to disco, pop rock, new wave and hard rock. The first was the Jackson 5-inspired “Falling Off The Rails,” which expertly checks all the boxes of a 1970’s pop hit. At the same time, Cridland formed a cover band, studying classics by performing them as vocalist. In addition, in these past two years he has conducted hundreds of interviews with rock legends, including Smokey Robinson, Verdine White, and Annie Lennox, to name a few.
The results of these experimentations have paid off. Cridland’s touring band drew impressive crowds, and got some attention on American news stations, while his efforts have landed him an opening spot in the UK tour of R and B legends The Stylistics, this fall. The brand new “A Single A Week Box Set” compiles the released and unreleased singles showcasing the man’s considerable talents, in a wide range of genres across 107 songs.
The musical performances here include lots of pro work, including expert horn charts and the channeling of lots of classic influences. Cridland’s alto-soprano vocals hit the mark, serving well on various genres. He handles the soprano role on the R and B tune “I Feel It’s A Sign” perfectly, and the aggressive rock role on “I’m Inadequate” with equal ease. And those vocal harmonies: in conversations with him I’ve learned that he crafts them in the studio, ad hoc. One prime example is the appropriately tender “Lovely Girl,” which features the classic rock tinged stylings that Cridland favors, along with gorgeous background vocals.
A Diversity Of Vocal Styles
Cridland’s romantic tenderness and his sense of humor come across well. In addition to various songs about love, often directed to his partner Debs Marx, Cridland features lots of amusing takes on topical subjects, including “I’ve Come Too Early” and “Television Junkie,” the latter finding him hamming it up in a character voice. “I Wish I Was Interested” is a hilarious proto-rock song that finds him portraying a silly character who rejects anything but the object of his love. The brilliant “Operetta Of The Snobs” features yet another amusing character that Cridland portrays in a spot on fashion. (That song also features lush and beautiful background vocals.) Perhaps it’s on “Shiny Pink Shoes” that Cridland’s voice is best represented. It’s a cool R and B number featuring his vocals in a smooth, raspy mood.
The diversity of vocal performances and song styles across the boxed set is impressive. Perhaps due to an effort to play it safe, Cridland previously focused on releasing his most straightforward songs. There’s much more here. For one thing, Cridland’s proficiency at shifting roles is admirable. From the gauche character in “Television Junkie,” to the snob in the artful country pastiche “Three Star Hotel,” to his various romantic efforts, Cridland performs in a satisfying way, bringing tons of heart and humor to this massive project. One romantic standout is the lovely “That Night Sky.”
In addition to love songs and humorous ones, Cridland taps into feelings of self doubt on “I’m Inadequate” and “I Don’t Fit In,” an ability that shows not only great imagination but clear empathy with those experiencing alienation. There are truly touching moments of sincerity as well, including “You Are My Best Friend,” which finds Cridland and his musical colleagues channeling some of their favorite classic rock influences from the early 70s. The tracks feature authentic tributes to the genres they emulate, from 60s rave ups, to 70s soul ballads, 80s upbeat pop, 90s rap, on and on, including doo wop, jazz and swing. What’s missing are the heavily processed electronic songs that have become popular in the past ten years. No surprise there: Cridland has often expressed dislike for this latest iteration of popular music.
Songs For Synth Lovers
There are, however songs of interest for fans of synthesizers, and some with triggered synth bass as well. Somewhere around song 22 there’s a whole bunch of songs with 80s sensibilities, often in the style of one of Cridland’s many musical heroes, Phil Collins. Interspersed with these are some unabashedly 70s style songs, complete with Fender Rhodes piano and brilliant horn arrangements. It’s this ability to craft songs that are true to genres and eras, and do it well, that is most impressive. “Kind Lover” is one example of a gorgeous 80s pop hit that deserves to be heard but got lost in the sheer magnitude of the project.
Another pleasant aspect of Cridland’s style is, that despite putting serious effort into his work by hiring the best musicians available, and paying close attention to the songwriting craft, he doesn’t seem to take himself too seriously. He takes jabs at himself in a number of tunes, from “The Politician,” to “The Last Great Rock and Roll Star.” And by fully developing comedic songs like “Operetta Of The Snobs” and “Picking My Nose” into complex arrangements that riff on musical genres, Cridland sometimes ventures into Frank Zappa territory. Cridland may have the last laugh, as he is in talks to license his song catalog with media companies, in a developing story.
At the end of the day, listening to what Cridland has accomplished in a couple of years is a humbling experience. Not only does his boxed set feature quantity, there’s a definite quality to its ingredients, and evident respect for the craftsmanship of the creation of popular music songs – and indeed, the creation of a popular music career.
The “Single A Week Box Set” features artwork by Ian Beck, who created the artwork for Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.”
Players on this massive boxed set have been somewhat consistent, including three members of the band that Cridland toured the U.S. with in 2019: Robbie Blake on guitar, Jim Baldock on keyboards, and Dinho Barral on bass. Also featured are; John Wright, Paul Cousens and Adam Bainbridge on bass; Tom Potter, Charlie Love and Frankie Broadway on drums; Sam Cummings and Conor Mangan, guitar; Justin Woodward, guitar solo on “Take Me To Avalon”; John Young on piano and horn arrangements; and Max O’Hara on keyboards.
Tom Cridland’s Greatest Music Of All Time Podcast
Tom Cridland On Spotify
Tom Cridland,com
The Stylistics Official
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