WIN A FREE CD!American Band Rock: 54*40 - Part 2

Part 2 of my posting about 54*40 gives me a chance to discuss the new album, Goodbye Flatland. Again, this is not released in the U.S., but you can find it through their Website and Canadian Internet retailers.


Lead singer Neil Osborne gives out a “let’s go” going into the guitar solo on “Hope the Hell I Haven’t Died,” and I’m with him. I’m ready to go. Like all of the past 54*40 albums, Goodbye Flatland pulls up like a fine-tuned, luxury sports car. The door swings open, invites you to jump in, and man, is it a great ride! There’s racing around curves, speeding down straightaways, gentle cruising on quiet streets, and time to park near a moonlit lake. There’s rockers and jangling beats and power chords and anthems and ballads.

The opening track, “Ride,” showcases all of this in one song. Sweeping keyboard, brooding vocal, straight-rock chorus, funky bass/guitar line, and then it goes through the whole ride again.

After more than 20 years of producing great rock music, you’re allowed to be self-reflective. Goodbye Flatland contains hints and references to early songs in the 54*40 catalog. “Not Enough to Make You Happy” contains the chorus, “Don’t make me lie to you/All I’m gonna do when you’re like this/I’m gonna lie to you,” which is a great twist on the past favorite, “Lies to Me” from Trusted by Millions. The opening guitar of “Secret” could easily spill into either “Here in My House” (Fight for Love) or this great new song. And actually with “Ride,” the album opens with keyboards and vocals reminiscent of Since When in many ways.

I mentioned awhile back about Brian Eno possibly being inspired by traditional psalm tones for his track, “My Lonely Organ.” I’ll probably never confirm that, but here on “Take Me Out,” one of the singles from Goodbye Flatland, there is definitely a sample of “Abide with Me” that sets the tone for the track. In fact, the lyric plays with a similar theme (prayer?) saying, “Take me out of this life.” This will have to be a future MonDevotion at my companion site.


If you’re looking an introduction to 54*40, one place to start would be Casual Viewin’ USA. This album combines some of the tracks from the Canadian released Casual Viewin’ with many of the stand out tracks covering their entire career (although apparently re-recorded or remixed). The Casual Viewin’ sessions gave a different feel from previous work. The title definitely speaks about the mood. Pop tunes get the 54*40 treatment presenting light, sing-along melodies with all of the sensitivity and craft that this band is able to bring.


Andy Bill of Dallas wins a free copy of 54*40’s Trusted by Millions. He was the first to email me with the name of the band that 54*40 opened for when I first saw them in the 80's: the BoDeans. It helps that Andy is my old high school buddy was there with me that night. If you want to accuse me of insider trading, just remember: it's only swag. Andy is the drummer for the swing band, Big Daddy Alright. Check them out!

Thanks to 54*40 and to Allen Moy from Divine Industries for their help in providing review copies and albums to giveaway.