From Edmonton, Alberta, musician-songwriter (a distinction they make, not us!) Tim James LaRiviere has certainly been making his way around the globe in unique ways, from performing at festivals and events to working out of the industry’s most iconic recording studios like Abbey Road (that’s the one) and Steve Vai’s Mothership Studio’s and the Red Room in France, he’s sure to have gained a diverse look at the ins and outs of the recording world and met some interesting characters, so it’s not surprising to think that he might have developed a distinctive voice for his own music.
Sitting on my desktop this morning is a copy of Tim James new album The Special Guests which carries with it a level of collaboration that is largely unparalleled by most modern recording artists. The album is a collection of songs that while writing by Tim are not sung by him (hence that earlier distinction) and in addition to vocalist Von Bieker feature other very special talents; Lyle Molzan, Cynthia Hamar, Christian Mena, and Phoenix Bermudez.
What makes this project of Tim’s so intriguing is that this collaborative nature is entirely by design. Speaking to the idea, he explains, “On any given record or at any given concert, The Special Guests may be a completely different lineup from the last iteration.”
When we often think about modern bands or artists, we become accustomed to seeing the same faces performing with whomever has taken on the lead of the project and so this intentional approach to the Special Guests makes this project particularly… well, special.
While I was pretty sure that the production on The Special Guests was sure to be pristine and polished given James’ lengthy background in the art of recording, the songwriting across The Special Guests is the icing on each arrangement which can otherwise safely be described as ‘top notch’.
“Early Days” would rival Ryan Adams best work while “3rd Degree Burns” settles somewhere into a more folk-country take on U2’s atmospheric style. “House Full of Brothers” meanwhile lays the kick into the floor and showcases James and the bands ability to craft a steady anthemic climb in a way that feels as powerful as the lyrics that accompany it.
It’s just country enough that it wouldn’t feel at all out of place on Nashville’s Lower Broadway but it weaves in pop and alt-rock elements like pulsating synth work in such a way that after a night of bar hopping the strip, you’d come away remembering this band as the one that wasn’t afraid to hop just ever so outside of the typical boxes.
Sliding “Ping Pong” in just ahead of Clumsy is full of the kind of production whimsy that separated great alt-rock bands of the 90’s from being lumped in or mistaken for their label mates and genre-sharing counterparts.
“Undone” is arguably the highlight track with the way it further blends electronic and synth elements into the alt-folk vibe of the record into a beautiful 80’s-rock inspired ballad.
All in, The Special Guests is an alluring listen and given the nature of the project I’d be curious to hear the album both in a live setting with the current line-up and however it gets molded over time. When the songwriting and the talent is this good, you can’t really go wrong with it.
Listen to Tim James With the Very Special Guests on YouTube or their website and be sure to check out their social media channels to find out when new music drops.
Crooked Forest 