Richard X. Heyman X 2013

Richard X. Heyman has been making fine power-pop rock and roll since 1986. He plays all the instruments and sings all the vocal parts. That he does this does not make him so unusual. That he does it so well sets him apart from the crowd.

Influences? Beatles, Byrds, Raspberries, Yardbirds, Rascals, all manner of splendid sixties rock & roll, especially those rocking garage bands like the Standells, the Shondells, the Choir, Beau Brummels, and Paul Revere and the Raiders.

The beauty of his songwriting is that while all of the influences can be heard, he melds them together into something new that is his own sound. He is also a first rate lyricist, avoiding the lazy cliche.

He's a darn fine drummer, singer, and guitarist, and his keyboard skills also shine on this new one. X is his tenth full-length record. It may very well be his best ever, although I'm very fond of Hey Man! from 1990. If you haven't heard him, this is as good a place to start as any.