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Decades Away
Answer
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Xenos' 'Birthday' offers fresh, captivating songwriting
The Athens Insider (02/04/2004), by Troy Gregorino
It's rare to come across an album that leaves
an impression of bona fide importance. Even more rare is an
one that does so with as striking, almost genre-inventing,
flare as Tony Xenos' "Birthday."
Track after track, Xenos' writing offers a
freshness and bittersweet, life-affirming insight for which
countless artists strive but very few achieve. Add to that
an outstanding ability to mix alternative rock ambiance with
rhythmic punchiness and singable, folk-like sensitivity, and
you've got a talent for which modern music listeners are (or
ought to be) starving.
This music is the antithesis of crappy pop,
yet devoid of the cliched pretentiousness of which too much
indie rock reeks.
Perhaps the biggest "Birthday" surprise
is that the title track is an abbreviated piano instrumental.
The piece makes for a nice prelude to tracks two through six,
which are downright brilliant.
Thoughtful, literary, catchy, and musically
gorgeous, "Killing Time for a Better Now," "W,"
"Super Hero," and "Bee Shoes" rival the
best songs of any album I've ever reviewed. Most of the material
in the second half of "Birthday" is substantially
more experimental. There's no scarcity of Xenos' infatuation
with electronic effects, a penchant that occasionally sacrifices
some of the artistic cohesion of "Birthday."
The quirky, hip-hop tinged "11 O'Clock
News" and "Dodgin' Cars," while entertaining,
come across as novelty additions to "Birthday,"
lacking the sense of sincerity that defines most of the album.
It's nice to hear a portion of Xenos' versatility,
but his vintage, ultra-melodic singing is more convincing
than his emcee skills. "My Attention From Me" and
"Defeating the Drama," though less pretty than the
best of "Birthday," are effective in their ability
to convey a mood and artistic sensibility that is distinctly
Tony Xenos.
While such influences as R.E.M. remain pleasantly
apparent throughout much of "Birthday," it's a major
credit to Xenos that most prevalent in his work is his uncanny
knack for innovation.
Xenos' latest creation makes a legitimate
addition to my all-time favorite album list. If I'm forced
to choose 10 CDs with which to be stranded on the proverbial
deserted island, "Birthday" gets serious consideration.
Xenos' Lucky Penny lacks shining songs
Speakeasymag.com, May 19, 2006
On his third album, Lucky Penny, emo singer-songwriter
Tony Xenos combines simple guitar melodies and personal lyrics
to offer listeners a stripped-down acoustic sound that’s
fit for an intimate coffee shop stage.
Xenos, an Ohio University graduate who teaches
high school math in Vinton County, compiled Lucky Penny from
a collection of songs that survived over the years. Xenos’
voice recalls bits of R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe and ‘70s
folk singer Cat Stevens, but never echoes the exact style
of either singer. Instead, his distinctive voice sings about
love, friendship and frustration. The exposing lyrics make
Lucky Penny seem like a confession set against an acoustic
guitar.
The first song, “Snowmen and Knit Hats,”
is about a friend Xenos met in college. Reminiscing about
sleeping on his friend’s floor and road trips, he balances
the lyrics with uncomplicated but pleasing guitar melodies.
“Love Song Part 1” has the same musical feeling
- like something heard coming from a student on College Green
- but the lyrics appear to be directed toward a specific person.
“Fast Trains and Roller Coasters”
fluctuates between soft, acoustic music and lively singing.
The chorus alludes to a welcome switch in Xenos’ style,
but it’s only a tease woven throughout the song because
the chorus recedes to the familiar solo acoustic sound.
Many songs on Lucky Penny sound like background
music for sipping a latte. Breaking up the increasing monotony
of the first three songs is “Where The Humans Are,”
giving a glimpse of Xenos’ harder, more rock’n
roll side. The darker song resembles “Eye” by
the Smashing Pumpkins and revives interest in and restores
energy to the album.
However, the hard-hitting guitar and driving
drumbeat quickly fade to the timid sounding “My Attention
From Me.” In this song, Xenos appears to be vocalizing
his inner thoughts but doesn’t display enough emotion
to engage the listener. The lyrics ("I should be quiet,
someone might hear me, singing a song behind the closed door
up here") suggest that he’s hiding some of his
emotion and struggling to express himself.
Retreating to the simple acoustic style that
overpowers most of the album, “The Day to Day”
doesn’t fully to the momentum of previous songs. The
guitar is more intense during the chorus and Xenos’
voice holds more passion, which other songs lacked.
“A Ring to Revolve Around” is
about keeping relationships strong despite differences. The
lyrics suggest the song is about marriage when Xenos sings,
“A ring around your finger will not make us stronger.
As years see us older, friendship will keep us bound.”
It’s a straightforward love song that could pass as
a serenade below a bedroom window.
Xenos gets creative and playful with his music
on “Penny Market,” a refreshing break from the
repetitive nature of the past six songs. The opening sounds
like synthesized Irish dance music with an Eastern influence
drawing attention back to the record and sparking renewed
excitement for Lucky Penny. It’s one of the only songs
on the album that shows his range as a musician and gives
hope for an energetic finish.
Gloomy guitars coupled with soft percussion
give the downhearted vibe on “Thin Enough to Reach.”
The lyrics hint that Xenos feels trapped and alone, but he
finally conveys enough emotion to engage the listener and
make them care about what he’s singing.
Lucky Penny could have benefited from added
experimentation and a greater mix of genres. Although Xenos
is a talented musician who writes smart lyrics, the songs
could have been much more powerful if he harnessed the strength
of “Where the Humans Are” and “Penny Market.” |
