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Fast Train to Brooklyn (2002) Buy Now |
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Story Behind the Album |
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-- (Self-release) Miles of Music 2002 - On his sophomore effort, Brian Jay Cline shoots down a poppier road than on his slightly twangier debut, Twisty Town. The songs on Fast Train To Brooklyn hark back to the bright pop sounds of the early ‘80s, particularly the work of Marshall Crenshaw and Nick Lowe. Bolstered by Peter Radd’s keyboards, Cline works up punchy numbers laced with a little urban soul. Although now a Las Vegas resident, Cline still retains a feel for his native New York City as revealed on tunes like "Double Parked Heart" and, naturally "New York City".
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Tony Peyser (Santa Monica Mirror, 2002) - Listen to
the sweet sounds of Brian Jay Cline and you’ll hear echoes of
British artists like Elvis Costello and Squeeze. But he’s not
from Brixton, he’s from Brooklyn and his current release is the
appropriately titled Fast Train To Brooklyn. I suspected I would like
Cline (who now lives in Las Vegas) simply because one of his songs had
this wonderful title: “Double Parked Heart.” I wasn’t
the least bit disappointed in this track. The heartache he sings about
is earned and well-documented with lines like, “Why am I always
the last in line/to be the first one on your mind?” I played Cline’s
album as I was driving and was totally smitten with the fifth song.
But, I thought the title was a little cliched: “Angel In The Skies
Above Me.” It seemed a tad on the nose on an album that really
aimed for more clever ideas and turns of phrase. Suddenly, I picked
up the CD case and realized that wasn’t the title at all: the
song is actually called “Angel In Disguise.” Cline had outfoxed
me by tiptoeing up to a cliché, sidestepping it and coming up
with something truly original. (By the way, I don’t recommend
reading CD song titles when you’re behind the wheel. I missed
two turns and almost got into a couple of accidents by paying more attention
to what I was listening to than what I was driving.) My vehicular mishaps
notwithstanding, this is an exceptionally swell album and Cline is a
truly gifted singer-songwriter.
-- Bruce Brodeen Not lame records 2002 - Best Squeeze and classic sounding Crowded House inspired disc we've heard in a long time. Elements of Elvis Costello and Matthew Sweet linger in various spots, too. Blending together hook-driven pop with the wit of Alt/rock and the passion of roots-pop, his songs stand out like the neon desert of his hometown Vegas. "Shoot, pick a song and you're likely to find a worthwhile gem. "Fast" is well worth the ride"-Amplifier. "Listen to the sweet sounds of Brian Jay Cline.. this is an exceptionally swell album and Cline is a truly gifted singer-songwriter. "- Santa Monic Mirror. Free of shallow pretense and covered in sincere passion for songwriting, Brian Jay Cline is sweet, masterfully excels at beautiful melodies and is waiting for warm place in many pop fans homes. A great record to drive to no where special with and just enjoy its simple, but memorable charms.
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