April, 1999

THADDEUS HOGARTH
When the Sun Goes Down - 10-song CD

Five years after his tenure as the "songwriting force behind Boston's Heavy Metal Horns," singer/songwriter/guitarist Thaddeus Hogarth is back in the musical fold with a new solo album.

I must admit that I was never the biggest Heavy Metal Horns fan. I always thought that although their musicianship was solid and tight, their sound always seemed overtly slick and lightweight to me. This album is well produced, but not slick. The musicianship is solid and heartfelt. Hogarth delivers a soulful sound that harkens back to the styles of Bill Withers, "Songs from the Key of Life"-era Stevie Wonder and a bit of Gil Scott Heron, Seal and Sly Stone.

I can only describe Hogarth's vocal delivery as "slinky" and though most "indie-rockers" might not get into this, those who can get into a well produced "old school" soul/pop record could easily spend hours spinning this one.

It's been a while since I've heard a good hearty dose of B-3, Clav, funky wah-wah guitar, alto sax, flute and even harmonica, without that welling up of bile at the back of my throat. The sounds are sincere and real. The songwriting on songs like The Only One Who Really Cares, When the Sun Goes Down, and They Can't Stop Tomorrow more than justifies and explains the well-deserved accolades Thaddeus Hogarth has received over the years. The only song that made me cringe a bit was the sentimental closing track, It's Your Day, but that's just my aversion to the bittersweet sentimental thing.

(Joel Simches)