CD Review | "9 Lions" | Matt Parker and The Deacons

I've been familiar with Myrtle Beach-area guitarist-singer-songwriter Matt Parker for roughly a decade, back to the days of his hard-rocking power trio Psychward, and wee morning hour renditions of him playing "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" standing on a high-top, and slinging his ax behind his back, and picking it with his teeth ala Hendrix.
While Parker and his newer cohorts (The Deacons, aka bassist Rob Rotondo and drummer James Poindexter) are still a trio, the band is little bit mellower and more restrained on their spanking new independently released "9 Lions" consisting of seven original tracks composed by Parker.
But that doesn't mean that "9 Lions" doesn't rock - it does - but it allows ample time to catch your breath.

The disc jumps off in a power-pop direction with opening track "Alone With You," a rock solid number that bounces along with a catchy chorus and some rapid-fire lyrics that I still can't quite decipher despite repeated listening. But I gather it's about feeling alone in a relationship, and not the bliss of finally getting some one-on-one time with the object of affection. Yet it's catchy, and a funky musical break leading into Parker's tasty solo recalls the Psychward glory days. Bonus points for working the word "semantics" into the lyrics - how's that for literate rock 'n' roll? (Check out the video for "Alone With You" below.)

I hate to keep waxing retro, but Parker and bandmates have explored various musical terrain since the Psychward moniker, including acoustic performances, and the last time I caught them live at Wahoo's Fish House in Murrells Inlet, it was a pop cover-heavy set including a take on Pharrell Williams' "Happy."
I mention this because despite that diversity, I still wasn't prepared for "9 Lions'" second track, "By Me" when it started with a beach music-like vocal intro of falsetto "oohs" and a fast walking shuffle guitar and bass riff.
I listened to "9 Lions" three different ways while preparing for this review: on my truck's factory stereo (Delco, nothing special), on my laptop and then through my old-school Sansui home speakers. And it was during this latter listening that "By Me" clicked my Like-O-Meter and I found myself singing the chorus of "Lay it on down 'til you've got no more worry/Lay it down 'til you've got no more pain." It has considerably more muscle when you listen via quality audio vs. tinny computer speakers.
The next two songs, "Subsided" and the mellow groove "In the Middle" (not to be confused with the Jimmy Eat World song with a similar name), at first blush seemed to  be linked, perhaps consciously or perhaps unintentional, with a lyrical coupling that rhymes "dangerous"  and "us" - in fact, I had to listen repeatedly to make sure "In the Middle" wasn't a slowed down, ballad version of "Subsided." It's not, but it's the superior track of the two and is a welcome change of pace.
The record finishes off with "Nightmare," an uptempo rocker that at times recalls Fuel's "Shimmer," the hard-edged "Your Ways" sporting an "Achilles Last Stand"-like galloping riff, and raucous instrumental "Love Jam" that allows the band to show off its tremendous chops - and funky side.
Recorded at Slinky Finger Studios in Charlotte, N.C., the production of "9 Lions" is crisp and clear without sounding over-produced.
In sum, "9 Lions" showcases the tight musicianship of Parker, Rotondo and Poindexter (sounds like a law firm?) and is definitely worthy of listening/downloading/purchasing if you're a supporter of local music and appreciate original melodic rock with some pop and soul touches.
"9 Lions" is available for download on iTunes or you can buy physical copies at the band's next local gig tonight (Friday) at Bubba's Love Shak in Murrells Inlet.
For more info, go to www.MattParkerandtheDeacons.com.