Tony Cox
UnpublishedCD Baby
In the pop world songwriters trust the singers to bring their song to life. The pop world is filled with these partnerships and all too often the songwriter is forgotten. Tony Cox's Unpublished hands on approach might explain the lush melodies, chiming guitars, and a dash of "Brit Pop meets California" nostalgia puts this in the latter category. Cox has managed to find himself some amazing partners to showcase his flawless tunes and entrust them with delivering his amazing music.
All the tracks (music and lyrics) were written by Tony Cox. With the help of Nigel Clark and Darren Finlan those tracks are brought to life. Within the eleven tracks the standard themes of love, loss and want seed the songs. Just because Cox is behind the guitar doesn't mean he can't write some great lyrics. Cox wisely layers most of his songs with multiple guitar tracks, but his willingness to experiment with keyboards really brings most tracks to the next level. More than enough pop artists are all too willing to settle for the occasional piano to give the song a more layered feel. The synth is for the new wave crowd or prince. "Life is Hardcore", Cox's most experimental track, might lean a little to heavy on electronic music. The song is a worthy musical exercise and far from gratuitous. No one is going to confuse Tony Cox for Neil Tenant, but mixed in with all the strong pop songs it shakes up Unpublished. "Fallen" and "Feel Real Love" are the best representations of Cox's ability as a songwriter. "Fallen" in some ways is reminiscent of the acoustic songs Noel Gallagher seems to write without effort. However, Cox layers strings over what seems to be a wall of acoustic guitars, where Gallagher aims for the simpler, stoic approach or goes over the top with big guitar sounds. Nigel Clark's vocals might be described as Lennon-esque on this track but it wouldn't be a far stretch to compare him to the older and more talented Gallagher brother in Oasis without the cynicism. "Feel Real Love" would fit perfectly on Alex Turner's Last Shadow Puppets album if only Turner wasn't so obsessed with capturing that retro sound. Cox manages to find a balance between the song's Brit pop influences and a modern day pop song. The pulsing bass line and horns make this song infectious. Cox wisely lays off the guitar and gives lets the beat carry the song. "Say the Word" warm harmonies, multiple vocals and agro make the song feel very California. Cox, Clark, and Finlan might not be the Beach Boys, but they prove here that chorus is not the only place for group vocals.
Tony Cox fluid sound almost makes you wonder why someone with this much talent has manages to stay under the radar. If Clark and Finlan join him for the ride I can't imagine how Cox couldn't avoid some devoted following. Unpublished clearly balances out the singer songwriter dynamic with a degree of confidence that feels refreshing.
Song: TV Dream
