If you’re hurting a bit and want to feel better – or at least have a drinking buddy – fire up Outside, a new album from New York roots and power-pop singer/songwriter Jeff Litman.
With “Runaway”, he channels Petty’s bright and drawling vibe to create the best slice of jangly American rock since Matthew Sweet’s heyday. Growling guitars, tight harmonies and a let-it-loose arrangement makes it a descendent of Sweet’s “Girlfriend”.
“Chasing My Tail” harvests the same territory, turning it into a bouncy, late 70’s Raspberries-style nugget
Litman has more than one influence, and the record shifts between the Petty’s guitar rock and Elvis Costello’s sneer and pop. The title cut is mid-80’s Costello, with a loping rhythm and New York City doo wop underpinning.
The acoustic “It Hasn’t Happened Yet” is a gentle, melancholy ode to the end of a relationship. Much of the album strikes a theme of relationship heartache and defiance; the centerpiece of the idea rides in this song.
The best cut is midway through the record, with “Don’t Want to Talk About it”, tying a tough midtempo rock melody with a killer chorus and lyric sung with anger and a “don’t mess with me” growl. A beautifully skewered song wrapped in gleaming power-pop; it’s the sound of an ought-to-be hit song,
“Back to You” goes all Hall and Oates blue-eyed soul, crossed with more Costello, and includes a segue from rough and tough vocal break midway through the song to a Smokey Robinson gentleness. Litman’s got the soulful vocal chops to separate him from many. On this record, it is bonded to some smartly arranged and consistent pop-rock.
Still relatively unknown to most, Litman’s Outside is the work of an artist who fits firmly between classic rock and power-pop, and an mid 1960’s British invasion sound. He’s never far from his influences, but is able to cut into the sounds with some of his own tough and unique ideas. It is enough to warrant another listen, and to pay attention to where Litman goes next.
