Golden Delicious

Mike Doughty' second full-length album

In the 90's American thirty-seven year old singer and songwriter Mike Doughty led the band Soul Coughing and in 2000 their paths parted because of Mike's heroin addiction, but a few years later he managed to beat that and came back to the stage. Little by little the artist won back most of his fans by selling the copies of his acoustic album Skittish directly from the stage and one day met producer Dave Matthews who used to work with Doughty's band. 2005's Haughty Melodic became his first full length solo album, and this year its follow-up Golden Delicious is ready to please the fans. Obviously with such big experience behind his shoulders Mike Doughty's music has grown much more mature with a lot of load on production and his vocals sound more powerful and confident. At the same time the lyrics have remained the same impressive with witticism, and everyone who likes quality indie music is sure to appreciate Golden Delicious as it deserves.

Most interesting life observations on Golden Delicious

Record Golden Delicious offers the music which not only makes you move and beat the tempo with your feet but also listen to the words that hide a lot of most interesting life observations and deep thoughts. Drums, guitars and Mike's voice combine in a great sound, whereas each single song has a certain message. Instrumentation is provided by the singer's touring band which makes the record sound livelier and somewhat cozier than its predecessor. The opener Fort Hood with a political implication pleases with great keyboards and strong emotions in the text, while a very vivid image is depicted on track I Just Want The Girl In The Blue Dress To Keep On Dancin. A melodious song Put It Down is refined with the unusual keyboards that even add some jazzy elements and a sing-along chorus, whereas an almost spoken composition More Bacon Than The Pan Can Handle is diluted with a pretty female voice. A song that has been written twelve years ago 27 Jennifers is presented in a new version which sounds more contemporary and still the same catchy, and introspective lyrics on I Got The Drop On You place the composition among the performer's most personal works. One of the most beautiful tunes is on track Like A Luminous Girl underlined by soft guitars, and the closer Navigating By The Stars At Night has become a perfect example of a love song both musically and lyrically.

A performer with an unusual destiny

Having grew up in a military family Mike Doughty has managed to visit many corners of the world during his life which naturally finds reflection on his creative work. Yet today this is no more that romantic poetry student, full of youth typical dreams, neither a former once successful band member trying to improve his life, driven 9000 miles in a rental car which was his first tour after the comeback to the stage. Today this is a singer who has survived a lot and learnt to value the importance of being restrained but remained joyful and witty and who despite of everything continues his career succeeding in it. Album Golden Delicious is recorded in Mike Doughty's best traditions and his songs can boast the rhythm combined with the greatly thought lyrics covering most varied topics, and his voice is still recognizable. Now that his position is firm it is clear that the mastery of this will only improve, and we are only left to wish him further success and belief in his abilities.