The Cousin John Band
Broken Heart Tattoo
Reviewed by: Lara Supan
And the Randy Newman Sound-Alike award goes to…
This DC based band has been together since 1999 and you can definitely hear it in the tight instrumentals on Broken Heart Tattoo. Lead vocalist John Mobley brings a Randy Newman vibe to the table, while slide guitarists George Marinelli and Joe Goltz bring a distinct John Hiatt feel to the tunes. A little surprising is the Surf Rock twang that shows up on some of the songs, especially the last song on the album, “Dreams Are Yours to Keep”.
The first song on Broken Heart Tattoo, “110 Years”, has a laid back beat and an interesting chorus, talking about living until 100 years old. “If I lived ‘til I was 110, and everything I’ve ever wanted to do was all done by then, I’d still want one thing even if it all just goes on and on and on- still want to hold you in my arms.” While I haven’t quite figured out the relevance of the exact age, “110 Years” has a sweet sentiment and a unique one as well.
Support regional music- check out The Cousin John Band!
Rating: Bad-Ass
