It was only last year when we last heard from John Taglieri. He released the Lucky #9 EP containing upbeat rock songs. After touring the east coast and spending a lot of time in Florida entertaining the masses he now releases his next effort called “Southern Paradise”. The disc contains 6 songs that have that typical Taglieri signature though they steer away from his previous work slightly.
The EP opens with a positive attitude. The ‘nananana nananana hey hey hey’ jumps in right away on the title track. Southern Paradise is a testament to living with intent as the man himself would say. Where Taglieri was always known for his upbeat mix of powerpop and rock, or at least songs with a little bit of an edge, this song is smoother and more contemporary and the vocals provide most of the edge. With its tempo and summer holiday feel Southern Paradise is a perfect feel good song.
Then we hear When I Think About, which has a bit of a rootsy spice woven through its fabric. The rhythm in the verses builds up to the chorus perfectly and the chorus is pure gold. If only a couple of radio DJs would get their hands on this, it could take off quickly. The lyrics paint a picture of the good life, taking in all it has to offer and who doesn’t like that picture? And listen to the guitar solo roughly two thirds through the song!
On Down The Road Taglieri takes down the pace a little bit. This midtempo song has a very laidback feel and would probably appeal to fans of early Nine Days, Better Than Ezra and Matchbox Twenty. It wasn’t the song that stood out to me immediately but after a few listens I noticed the guitar work and the arrangement held a lot more to it than I noticed early on. Down The Road is a grower.
It’s You is another song where the pace is down a little bit. The lyrics are hommage to love, whether it is for a lover, a friend, a higher power or a family member. To me, it personifies the feeling that someone can mean the world to you and whatever happens or wherever you go, you will always be able to hold on to that anchor. And lets be honest, aren’t we all suckers for a good love song?
Days of Night is a perfect example of John Taglieri’s songwriting style. Listen to the song and how it builds up and finds power in the exact right moments. The honesty and emotion just spring out of it. There are few artists as convincing as John Taglieri is in that department. The song is rootsier than we’re used from Taglieri, but the song doesn’t lose any of its power because of it.
The EP ends with Turn Around which is a bit of a departure in style. It really has a sort of americana taste to it. Toned down, with an acoustic basis and a campfire song feel to it, Turn Around fits as a closer for this record. Slowly, Taglieri builds up the song to a more intense chorus that tones down as it leads towards the next verse. It has the right mix of introspect and energy and leaves the listener satisfied.
“Southern Paradise” is an interesting new record by John Taglieri. The departure towards a more rootsy style doesn’t stand in the way of Taglieri’s passion and energy and therefore it will appeal to his fans immediately. It might also opens up his catalogue for new fans who haven’t yet heard of his infectious songs. Because the songs come off a little smoother and less edgy than before, radio stations might be quicker to pick up on them and who knows what that could lead to. When I Think About and Days of Night would make excellent radio singles and I wouldn’t be surprised to hear one of these songs in a movie one day. John Taglieri keeps doing what he’s best at, writing infectious songs with strong choruses and a real joie de vivre.
The EP opens with a positive attitude. The ‘nananana nananana hey hey hey’ jumps in right away on the title track. Southern Paradise is a testament to living with intent as the man himself would say. Where Taglieri was always known for his upbeat mix of powerpop and rock, or at least songs with a little bit of an edge, this song is smoother and more contemporary and the vocals provide most of the edge. With its tempo and summer holiday feel Southern Paradise is a perfect feel good song.
Then we hear When I Think About, which has a bit of a rootsy spice woven through its fabric. The rhythm in the verses builds up to the chorus perfectly and the chorus is pure gold. If only a couple of radio DJs would get their hands on this, it could take off quickly. The lyrics paint a picture of the good life, taking in all it has to offer and who doesn’t like that picture? And listen to the guitar solo roughly two thirds through the song!
On Down The Road Taglieri takes down the pace a little bit. This midtempo song has a very laidback feel and would probably appeal to fans of early Nine Days, Better Than Ezra and Matchbox Twenty. It wasn’t the song that stood out to me immediately but after a few listens I noticed the guitar work and the arrangement held a lot more to it than I noticed early on. Down The Road is a grower.
It’s You is another song where the pace is down a little bit. The lyrics are hommage to love, whether it is for a lover, a friend, a higher power or a family member. To me, it personifies the feeling that someone can mean the world to you and whatever happens or wherever you go, you will always be able to hold on to that anchor. And lets be honest, aren’t we all suckers for a good love song?
Days of Night is a perfect example of John Taglieri’s songwriting style. Listen to the song and how it builds up and finds power in the exact right moments. The honesty and emotion just spring out of it. There are few artists as convincing as John Taglieri is in that department. The song is rootsier than we’re used from Taglieri, but the song doesn’t lose any of its power because of it.
The EP ends with Turn Around which is a bit of a departure in style. It really has a sort of americana taste to it. Toned down, with an acoustic basis and a campfire song feel to it, Turn Around fits as a closer for this record. Slowly, Taglieri builds up the song to a more intense chorus that tones down as it leads towards the next verse. It has the right mix of introspect and energy and leaves the listener satisfied.
“Southern Paradise” is an interesting new record by John Taglieri. The departure towards a more rootsy style doesn’t stand in the way of Taglieri’s passion and energy and therefore it will appeal to his fans immediately. It might also opens up his catalogue for new fans who haven’t yet heard of his infectious songs. Because the songs come off a little smoother and less edgy than before, radio stations might be quicker to pick up on them and who knows what that could lead to. When I Think About and Days of Night would make excellent radio singles and I wouldn’t be surprised to hear one of these songs in a movie one day. John Taglieri keeps doing what he’s best at, writing infectious songs with strong choruses and a real joie de vivre.