Adam Masterson – Ready To Explode
London-born but New York-based Adam Masterson represents the timeless ideal of a rock star – classic guitar, tousled hair, vintage shades – yet he does so for the here and now.
Embracing old school influences but with copious amounts of spirit and soul added into the mix, he emerges as an outlier built from his own design, bucking trends while simultaneously emanating stadium-size charisma.
Was that you being all broody at Jesse Malin last night Masterson? We think so..."
He has shared stages with the likes of Tori Amos, Amy Winehouse and Stereophonics (in actual stadiums), guested with Patti Smith and Mick Jones (The Clash), while publications such as The Guardian, Billboard and American Songwriter have all gushed with praise about his previous output.
Mastersonâs diverse sounding new album, âTime Bombâ, is just his second, and it comes a full two decades after his debut (âOne Tale Too Manyâ). Reflecting both the personal and musical journeys that he has been on over the years, it switches gears several times over the course of twelve songs that are the very definition of eclectic. An energetic Springsteen-style workout on the rousing âWild Wolvesâ contrasts with a louche and very British panache on the anthemic and Mott-ish âBring Back The Freaksâ, while the Paul Weller meets gospel-soul vibe of recent single âTake a Little Loveâ is counterbalanced with a Van Morrison-esque laidback atmosphere in ten minute album closer âLeaves Against The Skyâ.
A memorable title song opens the album, which Masterson explains came about when âI was staying in a studio that had a piano, so composed the song on that. When it came to the chorus I already had an album title in mind so I put the two things together and it immediately gave it some drama. The pressures of time and the way it can assault the the nervous system was something I had been thinking about, although the words are also inspired by other things.â
The recording of the song was made remotely during the pandemic, “a completely new experience and way of working as opposed to tracking live with a group of musicians,â he states. âIt put me in complete command and I built it up layer by layer and felt like I was on a roll. I sent the results to Tchad Blake for him to mix it and still remember hearing that for the first time. It really blew me away!”
The video for âTime Bombâ is a collaboration with the filmmaker and photographer Anna Gabriel (Iggy Pop, Emmylou Harris, Peter Gabriel), with Masterson adding: âAnna shot me singing the song with a backdrop and spotlight and we found footage that matched the imagery of the song. The whole process was fun and felt natural.â
A number of guest musicians joined Masterson in the album recording process, including guitarists David Rhodes (Peter Gabriel, Scott Walker) and Leo Abrahams (Paolo Nutini, Regina Spektor), bassists Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), Charlie Jones (Goldfrapp, Robert Plant & Jimmy Page) and Brett Bass (Gregg Allman), drummers Charlie Drayton (The Cult, Divinyls), Jeremy Stacey (King Crimson, Ryan Adams) and Omar Hakim (David Bowie, Journey), with Rob Clores (Jesse Malin, Charli XCX) and Ben Stivers (Lyle Lovett, Matchbox Twenty) on piano and Peter Tickell (Sting) contributing mandolin and violin parts.
Masterson produced the album with input from mixera/engineers/co-producers James Hallawell (The Waterboys/Graham Parker), Tchad Blake (The Black Keys, Sheryl Crow), Sean Genocky (The Black Crowes, Richard Ashcroft), Ron Saint Germain (Soundgarden, 311), Dave OâDonnell (James Taylor, Keith Richards), Craig Dreyer (Pete Francis, Dispatch) and Paul Stacey (Oasis, The Black Crowes).
TIME BOMB
TRACKLISTING
1Â Time Bomb
2Â Bring Back The Freaks
3Â Chains
4Â Take A Little Love
5Â Run Away
6Â Avenue Walk
7Â The Kiss
8Â Wild Wolves
9Â Crazy Rain
10Â Rusty Cans And Dusty Alleys
11Â Cry With No Tears
12Â Leaves Against The Sky
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