A few months back, I reviewed Jeff Caudill’s electro-pop project Floormodel, and now I’ve got (well, I’ve had it for awhile now) new solo record to review. How cool is that? Answer: very cool.
So on Try To Be Here, former Gameface frontman Jeff Caudill (and a cast of backing musicians) play what should really just be your typical but slightly rootsy pop-rock (think Gin Blossoms or something like that) but it ends up being so much more. Perhaps it’s Jeff’s obvious passion for his music as that bleeds though. It could also be the overall feeling of the comfort of family that permeates that record as well. Maybe it’s just Jeff’s warm and inviting voice. Maybe it is all of the above. All I know is that Try To Be Here is played without pretense and is playing it for an audience of one.
My wife also echoed the whole Gin Blossoms thing going on here. It is a warm and sunny album that even on a night like tonight (where the temperature is currently 19 below zero with a wind chill of 42 below) makes me think of orange and golden afternoon sun shining through the windows onto the dusty floorboards and scattered children’s toys. It is the sound of a guy that’s seamlessly made the transition from punk rocker to father (something I can certainly relate to) and done so without looking back and (instead) reveling in the moment. I’ve never met Jeff, but I’d bet he’s a hella nice guy, plus he makes great music. Buy a copy of Try To Be Here right here.
MP3 | Jeff Caudill – Remember The Time Try To Be Here
MP3 | Jeff Caudill – Stay Home Try To Be Here
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definitely gotta agree with you on this one, too. I like the sound- you can hear all sorts of bands in it if you get out a pen and paper.. from GinBlossoms and the Refreshments (that mid 90s Tempe sound is impossible not to love) to other OC contemporary acts like Limbeck (wasn’t Gameface on Doghouse for a short time, too?). good stuff, good to see him still playing!