Now that the term "singer-songwriter" brings up the image of Jason Mraz in many a listener's mind, it's great to hear an indie solo musician who hasn't ever swiped anything from John Mayor. Or: it's great to hear one that's actually good. Kenneth Ishak takes on that role by incorporating decades of influence into each emotionally wrenching track, always nodding towards those who've inspired him but never entirely replicating them. And those who've left their mark on Ishak are as diverse a set of innovators as can be. Fleetwood Mac's bright charm shines through "New Rising Sun", all arena-rock with just the right amount of falsetto flourish. The double tracked vocals in "Snake in the Grass" are the epitome of Elliot Smith's mournful delivery. Then there's "Anytime Kid", which borrows more than a little bit of McCartney/Beatles influence in its epic cheesiness.
Ishak even takes it a step further, getting a little bit '80's on "Misfits in Love", where The Cure seem to have made a bit of an influence; but it's Kid A's programmed drums that craft the song into a more modern, less clichι lament. It's been a working formula up to this point in music that if you have to rip off anybody, it better be the Beatles or Radiohead that way critics will pretend they don't notice.
Although this type of heart-on-sleeve introspection might wear thin by the end of your average singer-songwriter release, Silver Lightning stays strong through its closing lullaby, "The Sword". Elliot Smith fans should rejoice to the tune of Silver Lightning; but, of course, there's no replacing the man himself.
Recommended If You Like: Elliot Smith, Ben Kweller, Paul Michel
Judge For Yourself: www.myspace.com/kennethishak
