Parker Gray - My Fearless Career (2024)

The name is a band name with musicians who backed up singer-songwriter Annie Gallup on her last CD. Those names would belong to Peter Gallway & Harvey Jones.

They bestow upon us an eccentric mix of electronics, folk music & vocals. “So,” — the first slice is a rootsy dark mud & twigs narration similar to “High Lonesome Days” by The Cat Mary. But this CD proceeds to plow the Nephilim fields where Frank Tovey & the Pyros nurtured his searing folksiness with “The Liberty Tree.”

Parker Gray follows along with lots of nostalgic narration & catchy under-the-surface melodies. Nothing is rollicking so it’s threaded with a fine needle of songcraft that’ll impress those who appreciate esoteric things. Others will find it challenging the way Rain Tree Crow was.

It’s aimed at an older audience with good memories. The origin of these narratives came with the late Ken Nordine. It was a trip. “Draft Notice, 1966” is quite good because it’s interesting not because it’s any possibility of a folk song or pop hit but maybe that’s not what it’s intended to be.

The 10-cut My Fearless Career is experimental with mists of folky storytelling over electronic ambient music. “Dangerous,” is a short creepy piece because that deep Nordine-like voice is what captivates the ear as it chooses & savors each spoken word that stings the mind.

A little deeper voice & they’d be in Crash Test Dummies territory. More of a song is “In Cold ‘27” a well conveyed piece with delectable originality. Yet, that’s the kind of thing that does not captivate every ear.

Many common listeners are mainstream lassoed, commercially indoctrinated & would never entertain such implausibility in their entertainment. But for those who like a challenge – though it’s for selective tastes with tongues that discover & don’t settle on — this music skitters by the talons of Dead Can Dance. These musicians haven’t forgotten their folky roots. They’re just trying to insert more modern touches without going full-bore Depeche Mode.

“Black Ice,” almost has a jazzy Jaco Pastorius-type bass line that makes the narration haunting & hypnotic. Well done. They approach with maturity. “Rain Falls On the Harbor,” is melancholic & imaginative as the best of The Blue Nile.

With all the Beat Generation references artists pick up on because it’s cool – choosing “Charles Bukowski,” makes it spark long after the final note. Tepid horns punctuate with moodiness. Allows the expectations of the composition to imbue less decadence than a noir dalliance.

Highlights – “So,” “That’s Where the Light Gets In,” “Draft Notice, 1966,” “Dangerous,” “In Cold ’27,” “Black Ice,” “Rain Falls On the Harbor” & “Charles Bukowski.”