Gareth Asher

Me do a review for Gareth’s new CD? Since I’ve interviewed Gareth Asher and mentioned him here and here and here – I have as much credibility as Justin Bieber recommending Usher‘s latest drop. Yup, I just compared myself to Justin Bieber.

Anyway, It’s been three years since Gareth Asher’s last album I Am The Earth, so when Gareth asked me to do a review on his new album, Between the Smiles and Tears, I knew I had really whip up something creative. Since a review from me or any of his fans would end up sounding like a screeching high-pitched Superfanclubpresident, I needed to find the following:

¦someone decidedly male (I’m convinced all females, much like John Mayer’s fanbase, are hard-wired to love Gareth instantly)
¦someone who KNOWS music inside and out
¦someone who wasn’t familiar with Gareth before
¦someone who is influential and well-respected in the music world
¦someone who could write really well.

Tall. Order. So I enlisted the help of groundbreaking music mogul and author, Charlie Peacock. Charlie’s credentials are so long, I found ten pages on my printer from his Wikipedia page. With his unique views and innovative marketing, he has shaped the careers of bands like Switchfoot, The Civil Wars, and countless others. I knew he’d be the right man to give Gareth’s album justice and I am exceptionally honored to have him contribute to Radiopotato.com’s community. Charlie, take it away…

I like where Georgia-native Gareth Asher has ended up on his new recording, Between the Smiles and Tears. No big crazy shifts from the norm, but solid in all the ways we need a decidedly American singer-songwriter to be. What do you get? To begin with there’s loopy grooves, big wide tambourines, and a by- the-book folky, rock mix. All the usual Americana instruments are up front and in the shadows: Acoustic guitars, B3, Wurlitzer electric piano, drums, bass, and electrics. Gareth’s vocal is some sort of different timbre mix of Ray Lamontagne, Jeff Buckley, and dare I say, Cat Stevens. Like Cat, Gareth’s voice has a reason for being, which is more than I can say for most artists in the myFaceSpace quagmire. I do like the swingy and tight, double-tracked chorus vocals. Makes the songs poppy without becoming drippingly sweet. All-in, this set is a little bit now and a little bit from another time. Clay Cook’s production is journeyman and trustworthy — no fireworks, but the kind of good and faithful sonic-shaping that keeps the voice and songs front and center. I have a fave song: “Can We Get It Right.” This is where I say, YES, you did get it right! Bottomline: I like this. Good job. But that doesn’t matter much. What I hear is that the femmes really like them some Gareth. Who needs one reviewer in your court when you’ve got 3.5 Billion females on your side? Carry on Gareth. Carry on.

-Charlie Peacock

Move over, LL Cool J. Because the Ladies LOOOOOVE Cool Gareth.


Yeah. His new CD has been spinning in my car for a month straight. Solid! But why take my opinion when you can experience it yourself, starting April 30th? Celebrating the release with 2 sold out shows at Eddie’s Attic, you can get a copy at one of his shows, download on iTunes, get a hard copy on CDbaby.com, or on his Ning-powered community website.

If you have been to a Gareth show or have discovered his music, please comment below about your experience. Let’s get his music out there! And Charlie, a thousand thank you’s for your gift to RadioPotato’s community. Forever grateful.

- http://radiopotato.com