When legendary musician Sean Boynes returned to the music scene, he wanted to make sure said return was momentous, and meaningful; he wanted to make an album that captured the raw, sometimes imperfect magic of playing live, and do so with some of the best modern musicians around. So, assigning this collaborative project the moniker Maverick Smith, Boynes and company created With Friends and Imperfections – an album of high-energy rock and roll dipping toes into variations both indie and orchestral. Ready to hear what real, unadulterated, modern and intelligent rock sounds like? Let’s hit the highlights.
Wait. Who does what?
Maverick Smith features a host of seasoned musicians who had, or have, the pleasure of working with renowned musical acts – musicians like Ken Stringfellow (The Posies, Big Star, R.E.M.), Paul Santo (Aerosmith, Ringo Starr), Susannah Lee (folk-pop sensation), world-renowned bagpiper Lorne MacDougall, Joe Zelek (The Gathering Field), Bruce Hoffman (The Mel Tillis Band), Dan Bozek (Eric Himan, Gene the Werewolf), and Johnny DiCarlo (U.S. Kids).
Impressive. Now, let’s hit those highlights.
What we’re digging:
With Friends and Imperfections kicks off with “Through This Tonight.” It opens with a drum beat reminding me of Led Zeppelin’s “When the Levee Breaks.” But this quickly changes to a more assertive beat as dirty guitars and a clean, innocent female vocal (who I believe is Susannah Lee) bend this piece into an energetic indie rocker (complete, I think, with bagpipe accents. Or perhaps an accordion?). It comes in, kicks the furniture upside down, and ends in tasteful abruptness. Excellent track.
“Do I” begins with a BIG harmony reminiscent of the Styx camp. It’s rousing, rocking, and peppered with marshaling trumpets. The harmonies remain big, the chorus is already sticking, and it ends confidently, memorably, on the final chorus.
“Break My Heart” starts with swirling hammond organ and crunchy guitars before taking the indie rock route. Susannah (?) tackles the vocals here, and she’s an indie rock queen; her voice is part conversational, part innocent cherub with an emotive warble ending each sung note. Superb.
“For the Kids” reminds me of Kansas; the male vocal a bit like Steve Walsh’s midrange, and the music has that from-the-fields quality, especially with the accenting violin (which is another welcomed Kansas trademark). Wow, what a great, moving, excellently played and orchestrated/arranged track.
“Health and Politics” begins with an echoey, dirty guitar arpeggio. This is a little Neil Young-ish but with an energy Young could never quite reach. The lead vocals are permanently bonded in calls-from-the-flatlands harmonies, and work particularly well when a more rocking movement hits around the two-minute mark. Holy crap, this is excellent, and my personal favorite.
Album closer “Thinking of You” begins with piano dotting like something from Jerry Lee Lewis, but it’s layered, almost overtaken, by the band’s characteristically crunchy guitars. It’s carefree, hopeful, and made so by not only the melody, but again by excellent harmonizing. And then, almost as quickly as it began, it dashes towards the exit with undiminished energy
But is it good?
Oh, hell yeah. Maverick Smith’s With Friends and Imperfections is GREAT, spiritually incandescent, ravishingly raw rock and roll with excellent, energetic, and emotional melodies. This is the rock and roll we’ve been missing; the good stuff made and delivered passionately, with solid playing, strong vocals, and those glorious, air-guzzling electric guitars. In short…I would like some more, please. HIIIIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Oh, and one final note:
Because Sean’s goal for the project was to impart meaning beyond its musical creation, proceeds from the album and merchandise sales will benefit the Harmony Health Foundation, a national 501 (c) 3 non-profit that provides healthcare access to underserved communities with a focus on those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. And fans who support the cause through the Harmony Health pledge page can receive exclusive gifts like vinyl records, T-shirts, posters, signed memorabilia, and even a record player (terms apply).
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BELOW: Listen to Maverick Smith and check them out on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Instagram, and YouTube. Please support Maverick Smith by visiting their website and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing their music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music.
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