Wow! Welcome to who will probably be the band
to be discovered via the internet! Not only a
brilliant CD, but David Isaacs has a quickly
growing dedicated core of fans for their live
performances in Southern California, constantly
delighting and amazing the crowd wherever they
go.
This CD, this particular piece of the genius that is
David Isaacs, proves that one can keep their
integrity intact, write music that anyone can enjoy,
and then perform it live to jaw dropping listeners.
If you are starting to get the idea that I am a huge
fan, you are correct! There is little doubt that this
husky voice that rings clear with emotion,
sincerity, and depth, coupled with brilliant
melodies, flawless arrangements, and great
production values, you are right.
Hailing from the San Fernando Valley, this
dynamic songwriting duo, David Isaacs and Chris
Horvath, have surrounded themselves with all the
right players to create a very dynamic, lively,
lovely body of work.
Catch their song that is quickly climbing the Indie
Charts, "Watching From The Moon", the third
song on this CD, and Track 6, "I'll Be Waiting
Here For You".
The most obvious next step is to make sure you
own this wonderful insight into music and life.
"Beautiful vocal lines and heartfelt lyrics, Isaacs material provides the perfect soundtrack... It's exactly the type of music that touches the heartstrings and leaves the listeners feeling good... Isaacs' voice is outstanding and he uses it to its fullest potential. Add to that the pitch perfect harmonies and this show is a must see."
David Isaacs - Timebomb, FTG
[Similarities: Brett Walker, Jude Cole, Michael McDermott]
That sound you just heard was my jaw hitting the floor. Cripes! What an album! Thirteen perfect songs of midwest pop with a hard rock edge, it's the kind of album that if you were a musician, you'd strive to be this good. Intelligent lyrics, infectious melodies and gorgeous vocals have made this yet another essential purchase for 2000. All it takes is one listen to a song like "Waterfall" or "All We Are" to convince you that this is something special. "Goodbye To You" is one of those songs that had you heard it on the radio, you would stop what you were doing to find out who it was and where you could get it. "Little Angel" is another. In fact, out of the thirteen songs here, you will not find one that lets your mind wander even the slightest bit! I was hooked from beginning to end, captured with no chance to escape. I know it's become an all too easily thrown around cliche but this is hands down, one of THE best melodic rock albums of the year, or year's past for that matter.
DAVID ISSACS – TIMEBOMB
FTG RECORDS
"Timebomb" is a collection of superbly crafted pop songs with the emphesis based around acoustic guitars and brilliant hook–laden vocal melodies.
The title track itself and ‘Watching The Moon’ are songs I couldn’t stop humming along to, the choruses on both songs are similar to Jon Bon Jovi's solo outing 'Queen Of New Orleans', with the latter being my favourite of the two songs.
Another strong song is the gorgeous ‘I’ll Be Waiting Here For You’, whist ‘Marigold’ brings back memories of missing in action Little Angel’s frontman Toby Jepson
‘Just A Little More’, ‘Little Angel’ and the excellent ‘Paper Doll’ keep the listeners interested, making for a very entertaining superbly produced debut album that is well worth investigating.
www.davidisaacs.net
Nick Baldrian
DAVID ISAACS- TIMEBOMB (FTG RECORDS)
David Isaacs- lead and backing vocals, tambourine; Chris Horvarth- guitars, mellotron, keys; Matt Laug- drums, shakers; Nick Vincent- drums; Ian Mayo- bass; Lance Morrison- bass; Mark Harris-; bass; Joey Cathcart- acoustic and slide guitar; John Flannery; baritone guitar; Bruce Watson- slide guitar
With a CV boasting collaborations with such luminaries as Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles and even Poison, David Isaacs has spent the majority of his career making noteworthy contributions to the music industry whilst standing on the edge of it. Now, after the success of his material on indy website www.garageband.com, the release of his debut solo album‘Timebomb’ should see David Isaacs make the transition from the periphery to the centre with relative ease. Why? Because a record and artist as good as this shouldn’t linger on the fringes for too long. From the opening bars of the title track to the closing strains of ‘Paper Doll’, the incredibly seductive melodies had me floored. The material is a blend of polished melodic pop/rock with a distinctly modern feel that becomes even more captivating because of Isaacs’ incredible voice.
Accented with great organ and drum work, the soulful opener ‘Timebomb’ sets the standard for the rest of the disc by fusing traditional Tom Petty and Beatles influences into a modern and vital sound. ‘Waterfall’ follows hot on the heels and is a jaunty slice of jangly, catchy pop with some jaw dropping guitar work to finish off. This was the first fruits of the partnership between David and co-producer Chris Horvarth and left me reaching for the repeat button….repeatedly.
But then that’s a common problem with ‘Timebomb’- Highlight follows highlight with unbelievable ease. The pure pop poignancy of ‘Watching From The Moon’, with its lush orchestral and keyboard touches, and the sweeping brilliance of ‘All We Are’ initially jostled for position as best song, until I heard the truly stunning ‘Come Back Home’. Then attentions turn to the catchy strains of ‘I’ll Be Waiting here For You’ and the equally memorable upbeat pop of ‘Goodbye To You’. By now, the phrase ‘kid in a candy store’ comes to mind. David has assembled a great bunch of players on ‘Timebomb’, including Matt Laug and Nick Vincent on drums, and, interestingly enough, ex Nelson band member Joey Cathcart contributes guitar and a co-write. Indeed, this disc is probably one of the most fluidly melodic and strong-in-every-department records I have had the pleasure of hearing since Nelson’s 1999 classic ‘Life’.
But still there’s more. The crisp, clear production of Horvarth and studio\ skills of Talley Sherwood are showcased on ‘When It Rains’ along with some great shimmery guitar which characterises many of the songs on display. David’s voice, so impressive almost everywhere, really shines on the breezy, rocking pair of ‘Marigold’ and ‘Just A Little More Time’ while closer ‘Paper Doll’ leaves you feeling pleasantly stuffed full of melody, great arrangements and performances by the album’s end.
Clever, expertly crafted and perfectly executed pop-rock like this doesn’t come along very often and when it does, it’s best not to get in involved in discussions about how singer songwriters are sometimes difficult to categorise. With ‘Timebomb’, there’s no need to worry about such difficulties. Just mark it ‘essential’ and leave the rest to a perfect union between your ears and your CD player. With any luck, and if people truly get what they deserve, ‘Timebomb’ will spectacularly explode and give David Isaacs, rather than those he has worked with in the past, all the attention and acclaim.
