On his new disc, NYC-based Corey TuT blends layers of rock and power pop sound with an upbeat songwriting voice. What's more evident is how much fun and care Mr. Tutwiler put into the record.
The man wrote all 10 songs, played every instrument (with a couple guests adding layers of guitar here and there) and produced the disc; it is shockingly professional, sounding like the work of a full-fledged band with an expert producer. That is no knock on Corey; indeed, the man's songs have appeared in indie films and commercials, and he has worked with Ad-Rock from the Beastie Boys and other NYC-based producers and artists. It's just a shock that a self-produced, self-written solo effort arrives so fully formed and without a hint of self-congratulation.
The songwriting is modern but seems inspired by ‘90s rock (especially Stone Temple Pilots). "Something Good" starts with a garage-rock riff and slowly builds to a rock crescendo that recalls "Villains" from the Verve Pipe album of the same name, although it's Corey's own song throughout. "These Are The Days" has a strong Foo Fighters vibe; it would fit nicely next to "Walk" on modern rock radio.
A few of the songs are nominally power pop but have enough muscle and sonic layering to appeal to harder rock fans, as on "Shine A Light" and the kinetic "Matter Of Time," which probably sounds killer live. Corey is not afraid to use layers of sound to achieve the effect; sometimes, this amounts to overkill when it buries the melodies, but when it is most effective – "Something Good," the brief garage rock "Waste My Time," the slow-burning "Tired of You" – the album is at its best.
"Pretty Little Liar" is another highlight, an attitude-filled fuzzed-out kiss-off with a killer beat that sounds great in the car. Its opposite is the slower "Whole," which is a bit more introspective and still uses the album's slow-burn, build-to-a-climax approach. The disc closes with the 10 minute title track, a winding alt-rock epic that runs longer than it needs to but recalls a time when mainstream rockers felt the urge to offer longer songs that take time to unfold and envelop the listener.
With ambition, heart and talent to spare, Chasing Down The Bedlam is a great, mostly positive modern rock record that should appeal across the board. Worth checking out.