Clinton Curtis – 2nd Avenue Ball
27 Sound: 2011
“Sometimes when I go down East Flatbush and I put on a bulletproof vest/You know whenever I go down there, I always feel a little different than the rest,” Clinton Curtis sings on “Best You Can”, an upbeat country rock tune from his recently released 2nd Avenue Ball album. Born in Jamaica and raised in Florida, those lyrics ring true for Curtis, especially when propped up against Brooklyn’s eclectic concrete metropolis.
It’s that type of unassuming indifference that characterizes Curtis and his new recording — a rustic mix of twangy country pangs and upbeat piano-laced rock, reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen in his heyday. To its core, 2nd Avenue Ball is dripping with small town ethos, almost to the point where the album feels like it were recorded live in a local tavern on karaoke night. For example, the second half of the cheery title track is punctuated by a rousing piano solo, placed atop a backdrop of approving screams, shouts and whistles. The same goes for “Chain You Down”, an guitar-heavy, call-and-response tune with an underlying reggae flair.
At certain points though, Curtis sounds overwhelmed by the textured compositions, leaving no room for his emotional baritone to shine. Therefore, he seems most comfortable with downtempo melodies and limited instrumentation: “Leave It Easy” is a brooding self-depreciating blues number carried by its impressive horns and “Crazy Light” is a part-country, part-gospel track about love’s saving grace. If nothing else, 2nd Avenue Ball feels earnest and funky, a decent fusion of sounds from an up-and-coming artist still finding his way in a crowded musical field. Music aside, Curtis knows how to tell a story, effectively wielding his common-man appeal to draw listeners in to his foray. While Curtis’ art is certainly an acquired taste, it packs just enough punch to properly showcase his abilities.
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3 out of 5
