Featuring Castro, the uber talented Alessi Brothers and former Network/Aviator drummer Mike Ricciardella, Barnaby Bye are back with a stellar pop record worthy of your attention.
Written by: Eric
ARTIST: Barnaby Bye
ALBUM: Thrice Upon A Time
LABEL: Pink Records
YEAR: 2008
CD INFO: Discogs Info List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Billy Alessi – lead & background vocals, keyboards * Bobby Alessi – lead & background vocals, guitars * Peppy Castro – lead & background vocals, bass * Mike Ricciardella – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Where Do We Stand * 02 Ditz About You * 03 In Another World * 04 Oh My * 05 It’s Alright * 06 Bye * 07 There’s A Hope * 08 Two Geminis * 09 You’re Not Alone * 10 You And I * 11 Helps On The Way * 12 Angels * 13 Do It Suite * 14 Just Like That (Live) * 15 No Getting Around My Love (Live)
RATING: 85/100
WEBLINKS: Wikipedia Link
Background
For those who didn’t catch our interview with Barnaby Bye a while back and/or haven’t heard their previous albums ‘Room To Grow’ and ‘Touch’, a reunion disc from one of Long Island’s legendary bands might be something to be passed over in favor of the new Balance disc maybe?
I’m sure Peppy Castro wouldn’t mind a few extra dollars thrown his way, but I guarantee he would tell you to pick up ‘Thrice Upon A Time’ as well. Featuring Castro, the uber talented Alessi Brothers and former Network/Aviator drummer Mike Ricciardella, Barnaby Bye are back with a stellar pop record worthy of your attention.
The Songs
Admittedly, it took me a while to get into ‘Thrice Upon A Time’. Having owned the two Barnaby Bye albums for several years and only to grow in appreciation of their aural delights quite recently, I was expecting more of the same.
Yeah, it’s a trap many of us fall into but time moves on and artists grow as Barnaby Bye certainly has. Gone for the most part are the Wings, Pilot and Harry Nilsson-isms in favor of a modern pop sound that in a perfect world should be all over the radio. There are several standout cuts here and I really enjoy the glittery ‘Ditz About You’ and ‘In another World’ which is wonderfully constructed pop tailor made for today’s listeners. More please.
‘Two Geminis’ is a throw back to the early Barnaby Bye and Freddie Mercury‘s bicycle built for two on the seaside school of song writing and great fun but the best cuts are near the end, including the wonderful ‘You & I’ with vocals by Castro and should light a fire under any self respecting Balance fan. If that’s not enough, how about a smokin’ live version of the Balance chestnut ‘No Getting Around My Love’ which is worth the price of the disc alone.
In Summary
These guys are playing a lot of shows in the New York area so check ’em out if your in the neighborhood and let’s hope a second album is in the works picking up right were they left off with ‘Thrice Upon A Time’. Welcome back boys.
Video
Track Mix
