Greg Klyma & Stone Church – Mmmm! Pie
Greg Klyma wears his influences on his sleeveliterally, on the CD sleeveon his groups second CD. As the group sits around a table, a Bob Dylan songbook is cracked open. On the floor is a Dylan poster, a Waylon & Willie album jacket, and 8×10 photos of all four Beatles.
That may reveal where this Buffalo musician and his band are coming from, but not necessarily where theyre going. While the groups first disc (Greatest Hits And Assorted Mood Swings, from 1995) was a White Album-like conglomeration of Klymas recordings in various styles in recent years, this one is more of a piece, with a folksy feel, laid-back reminiscences of old girlfriends (Magruders Daughter and I Loved My Sara Jo), and a singer-songwriters eye for detail.
Still, while those songs have the stronger country-folk hooks, I find myself drawn to the harder-edged tunes. The chiming guitar solo of Crutch, the high energy of Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No, and the drum-powered Promise You showcase the pop side to Klymas rapidly developing writing.
Theres one clunker (Worn Down Gypsy Man isnt particularly original), but Klyma still has marked himself as an artist to watch as he follows inspirations and seeks to put his own spin on them.