Description
Thoughts from a Driveway is the sole album by the American rock band Lloyd, released on Organic Records in 1998, a Pamplin Music label, manufactured and distributed by Pamplin Music Corp in the US. The album was recorded by Chris “Beg Broke” Davie – assisted by Fred “Grab” Paragono and Matt Weeks – at The Sound Kitchen in Franklin, Tennessee; and was produced by Jim Cooper with band member Daryl Youngblood co-producing tracks 2 to 5. Mixed by Davie at On The Border in Franklin.
Lloyd features Daryl Youngblood on vocals and guitar, Eric Miller on guitar, and Rick Weinland on drums and percussion. (All band members formerly of Imagine This.)
Where can one find good ol’ fashioned rock ‘n’ roll? With today’s modern rock, alternative rock, punk rock, progressive rock, at least five different kinds of metal, Britpop, etc., music that is neither too hip nor too bland appears to be lost in the shuffle. If you find it, its name could just be Lloyd.
Lloyd won’t be entirely unfamiliar to those already acquainted with Imagine This. While Imagine released two albums containing poppy, smooth funk-rock hybrid with the odd folkie and disco moments, members Rick Weinland and Daryl Youngblood moved on to a less contrived, more organic sound to convey their lyrics born of front porch gab sessions. Hence, ‘Thoughts From a Driveway’.
Where Imagine This aimed for anthemic songs of generalized feelings, Lloyd reflects a more personal viewpoint. «Don’t Wanna Know» celebrates joy in the Lord amid the planet’s certain doom. More often, though, songs derive from vulnerability and humility. «Mr. Warner» comes that close to being a Christian basher, but «Vapor» and «Paper Walls» humbly admit a need for grace. The only real hang-up is a too specific, yet too murky, tune detailing the spiritual truth found in an episode of the “Mary Tyler Moore Show.”
Musically, Lloyd makes no missteps. Those old Imagine This influences are wed to bubblegummy power pop and slightly grandiose arena rock – as comfortable as well-worn shoes to listeners seeking a less-slick Jars of Clay or more exciting Matchbox 20 sound. Lloyd won’t change musical history, but its recognizable elements makes for reasonably passionate, intelligent rock ‘n’ roll. [Jamie Lee Rake, CCM, May 1998]
Daryl Youngblood and his compatriots are better known for their time as Imagine This. They recorded a couple of albums and then wanted a change of direction. The new line up was named after guitarist Eric Miller’s deceased fish who finally snuffed it after being too long neglected by Eric’s absences touring! So that’s the background – what’s the music like? Strong alternative rock heavy on melody with plenty of guitars and a little quirkiness thrown in! Highlights are «Listening To Whispers» with its strong chorus and poetic metaphors measuring society’s blindness to God. The song «Mary Tyler Moore» records how God spoke to Daryl through an episode of the show proving that God can use anything he wants to communicate with us. At either side of Youngblood’s songs, you get the vitriolic and spiritually uncompromising Mr Warner and the introspective «Vapour». Clearly his song writing and vocal skills give this project a passion and a life which is strongly supported by Miller’s versatile playing. Lloyd are a band to watch for the future edging ahead of a pile of young bands playing vibey rock. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, December 1998]
CD tracklist:
01. Don’t Wanna Know – 3:28
02. Listening For Whispers – 3:53
03. Forever Song – 4:39
04. Fish On The Ocean – 3:26
05. Human – 4:23
06. Mary Tyler Moore – 4:24
07. All In All – 4:46
08. Mr. Warner – 3:39
09. Paper Walls – 3:55
10. Vapor – 4:41
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Organic Records.
A full-page advertisement for Lloyds’ Thoughts from a Driveway was featured in the March 1998 issue of CCM Magazine.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.