Music review: Marti Pellow – 鈥楽targazer鈥�
The latest release from Marti Pellow will have listeners looking upward for inspiration.
As frontman and cofounder of Wet Wet Wet, Pellow鈥檚 name might not be easily recognizable here in the United States. The Scottish band didn鈥檛 draw my attention until releasing a splendid cover of the Troggs鈥� 鈥淟ove Is All Around鈥� for the soundtrack of 1994鈥檚 鈥淔our Weddings and a Funeral.鈥� Funny how the time just slips away?
Focusing on his solo material, Pellow鈥檚 12th album is an engaging exercise in vivid storytelling through the blending of various musical styles.
鈥淪targazer鈥� comes across as a love letter to David Bowie鈥檚 genius and flair for the dramatic. Five years after the tragic passing of the man who sold the world, Pellow pays tribute to the Starman鈥檚 unquestionable influence with 13 tracks that spotlight Pellow embracing Bowie鈥檚 extraordinary musical vision.
The title track softly opens the set with a cosmic orchestrational build that seamlessly yields to horns and Pellow鈥檚 crooning, highlighting a dreamer鈥檚 quest to discover inspiration and beauty in the things that are heavenly.
鈥淔reaks are born to rule the world in our own special way,鈥� announces Pellow by graciously channeling Bowie in his descriptive search for love, acceptance and purpose passionately unfolding on the gritty metropolitan streets on 鈥淣ew York Angel.鈥�
鈥淭hese Are the Days鈥� serves as the album鈥檚 lead single with the 56-year-old singer delivering a nostalgic snapshot that harkens back to uncomplicated moments when quality time was spent roaming the neighborhood with good friends long before adulthood came knocking with a bag filled with weighty responsibilities needing immediate attention.
鈥淭eenage Rebel鈥� feels like a reference to Ziggy Stardust and youthful exuberance brilliantly disguised in a fetching pop arrangement that at its core is pure glam rock.
Ballads 鈥淒on鈥檛 Be Scared鈥� and 鈥淟ove Me Tonight鈥� are simply captivating with Pellow posting a haunting vocal performance that conveys a raw sense of vulnerability, loneliness and the need for giving and receiving unconditional love.
Traces of Bowie鈥檚 鈥淔ame鈥� can be heard (and felt) as the set closes with an infectious bass and guitar groove that allows Pellow to display his funky persona on 鈥淏lack Horse.鈥�
鈥淪targazer鈥� is a delicious indulgence for both Bowie and Pellow fans.