flawed:LOGIC

Just in the last few days, I happened to come across a copy of a CD called “UNH!” by Beau Hall. With my Zune being rather empty since I accidentally formatted it last night (whoopsie daisy), I figured I’d throw it on there and go for a walk. I’m really not sure what surprised me more, the music and how catchy it is, or the fact that I actually decided to do something physical. Regardless, I think it’s safe to say that I made the right decision putting it on there – it won’t be coming off any time soon.

“UNH!” is the latest release from Mr. Hall, although “latest” doesn’t necessarily mean “current” – it was released in 2005. Filled with more funk than any Caucasian man should be able to create, nearly every track seems to be a time capsule of the 70’s, with the wakka-chikka-wakka-chikka of days past. From his CDBaby.com page: “It’s the Rolling Stones meets Prince meets Jimi Hendrix with some INXS and Stevie Ray Vaughan mixed with Sly Stone, Maroon 5, Marc Broussard and Dave Matthews Band. Funky funky.” In my previous review, I went on about how the artist was lacking in soul; well where Mr. Tholen was lacking, Mr. Hall makes up in spades.

He opens up with “Whatchagonna Do”, which at first listen sounds a little like Seal’s “Fly Like An Eagle”, but has more energy and is a little more upbeat. Mr. Hall seems to be telling a mysterious someone that they need to wake up and perhaps take a reality check; quit the drinking (or drugs, maybe?) and grow up. While I was left wondering if the solo was an electric guitar or harmonica (or possibly some other instrument that I can’t decipher), the entire song is well written and well recorded.

“Sometimes I Cry” is the only song on the record that doesn’t have some sort of funky quality to it. In contrast to the other 9 songs on the release, it’s the only song where he sings about himself even a little bit. While he sings about the loss of his mother high-school girlfriend [Editor's Note: corrected subject], his own faults are brought to the surface in the process. The rather simple guitar work and relaxed beat compliments the lyrics perfectly. With such a beautiful song, I can only imagine how wonderful a woman she must have been.

Immediate following Sometimes I Cry, “Superhot Lady Cop” brings the funk back and is an all-around fun song to listen to. No matter how hard you try to sit still while it’s playing, your head will inevitably start bobbing back and forth and by the end, you’ll have probably broken out the air guitar at least once. It’s not too often that I find myself enjoying music like this as I’m usually the type to prefer intelligent lyrics over goofiness, but until now, I wasn’t aware that you could have intelligent lyrics about goofiness.

You learn something new everyday, huh?

Beau Hall did a great job putting “UNH!” together. From top-notch recording to the songwriting itself, it truly sounded like something I’d hear on the radio (this is a good thing). I have a few minor nitpicks (I believe Sometimes I Cry would have worked much better at the end of the album rather than in the middle where it seems to upset the “flow” a little) but on the whole, I have nothing but good things to say about it. I am anxious to know if he’s working on any other material for a follow up album because I’d definitely love to hear it.

Artist’s Website | Purchase Album