Most varieties of mid 1990s pop do indeed sound thirty years in time and lights years in style removed from the original Woodstock era, but there is a fair amount of new music that draws very heavily on that period. For one thing, many of the artists from those days are still at work, making worthwhile new music. Even some alternative rockers occasionally jangle their guitars and dabble with Beatle-esque vocal harmonies. This week's album is an excellent example of the return of folk-rock, strongly influenced by the Byrds and also the Beatles. It's the newest album by Pete and Maura Kennedy, who this time around call themselves the Kennedys.
Life Is Large .
Last year Pete and Maura Kennedy released River Of Fallen Stars , their first full album together, which featured both acoustic and electric folk-rock arrangements. The result is a very appealing album that might well find an audience among both Baby Boomers and their kids. The album features guest slots by Roger McGuinn, the Byrds founder, and Nils Lofgren, who was a part of Bruce Springsteen's band. At the same time the Kennedys also admit to being fans of the Gin Blossoms. This album is a more pop-song oriented record than their last, with a dozen short tunes strong on melody and hummable guitar riffs, while the lyrics, mostly about love's ramifications, are literate and tend to make their points in a few good phrases.