BOBBY SUTLIFF 
Perfect Dream 
(Not Lame) 

Bobby Sutliff continues his examination of the genius that was the Byrds with his own dissertation on the works of Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, David Crosby and Chris Hillman. Recorded in the comfort of his home studio, with all sounds played by Sutliff himself, what the disc may lose in terms of tight immediacy (Sutiff utilizes a drum program) it more than compensates with absorbing songs underpinned by Sutliff’s expertise with guitars.

Together with REM & Let’s Active, the Windbreakers (Sutliff’s 80s band with Tim Lee – often with Mitch Easter on drums) provided a solid link between the Byrds and the alternative rock scene of that era. And even though the band didn’t survive the end of the decade, Sutliff has done much to uphold the exceptional folk-rock the Windbreakers produced during their heyday.

Perfect Dream finds Sutliff in a pensive frame of mind, and the Byrds’ modus operandi viz. chiming 12-strings, tight 4-part harmonies & psychedelic nuances are utilized as backdrops for Sutliff’s mood pieces. Songs like the morose “Floating,” the baroque “My Perfect Dream,” the poignant “Blinders” and the dense “Indian Summer” illustrate this point perfectly.

Pop-lovers needn’t fret as the chirpy “Long Red Bottle of Wine,” the breezy “Kings of Flannel,” the heady “Kiss Me Goodbye” and the memorable “Foot In Mouth” provide enough ear candy to sate any sweet tooth!

Be warned, Perfect Dream offers no quick fix but demands serious attention to divine its jewels and pearls but yes, it is certainly worth the time and effort. www.notlame.com A-