Many did not think it would happen. After Third Verse, the Smalltown Poets
disappeared and were probably not going to be heard from again. But 2004
brought them back with the fall release of It's Later Than It's Ever Been.
Check out their new sound and look for more new music at cMusicWeb.com.

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IT'S LATER THAN IT'S EVER BEEN - SMALLTOWN POETS (2004)
by Bert Gangl

Although most genealogists would be hard-pressed to prove it, Michael
Johnston and Tom Scholz could very well be related. Scholz, for those too
young to remember (or too old to bother), was the M.I.T. grad student and
leader of the quintessentially '70s fivesome Boston, whose self-titled first
effort hit the Top 5 in 1976, produced still-popular classic rock radio
staples like "Long Time" and "More than a Feeling," and went on to become
the biggest-selling rock debut in history. 1978's equally successful Don't
Look Back claimed the top spot on the album charts, sent its title cut into
the Top 5 and went platinum within weeks of its release.

Nineteen years later, and the distance between Boston, Massachusetts, and
Tifton, Georgia, away, Michael Johnston and his bandmates in Smalltown Poets
have followed an eerily similar career arc to Scholz's. The Poet's
self-named 1997 debut became the most successful first album ever by a
Christian group and generated no less than six Top 20 hits. Following a
mere nine months behind the freshman project, Listen Closely vaulted an
additional three entries into the Top 20 and pulled down even more glowing
critical praise. But, like Scholz, who took nearly eight years to follow
Don't Look Back with the disappointing Third Stage effort and has recorded
only sporadically since, Johnston's ever-thinning STP herd spent a long two
and a half years on their third project, the largely uneven Third Verse, and
an additional four years before turning out the latest offering.

Encouragingly, the opening strains of It's Later Than It's Ever Been find
Johnston, the lone remaining original Poet, and his newly-assembled outfit
at the top of their game. The infectious leadoff track, "The Truth Is Out,"
blends crisp acoustic guitars, a lively melody and Johnston's
characteristically yearning voice into an irresistible
three-and-a-half-minute musical cocktail. "Show Me Who You Are," with its
jangling guitar lines and crunchy modern pop/rock textures, continues the
winning streak, coming across as a slightly harder-edged "Prophet, Priest
and King." And the likewise vigorous "Upside Down" bookends the stellar
opening three-song salvo with Johnston's imposing lyrical eloquence and
razor-sharp insight (She likes to have me by her side/ I guess I look good
over her shoulder/ Immune to gravity/ I can't seem to pull her closer).

From that point, the results vary. "Here" features some fairly sublime
electric guitar work. "There on the Sun" is a slightly less catchy cousin
to the first three songs. And the rootsy, hard-rocking "A New Beginning"
hints at an interesting latent Stonsian bent. By and large though, the
remainder of the album plays out as fairly nondescript. In its defense,
Later is consummately played and produced, and the lion's share of its songs
would certainly sit well on Top 40 radio. But with Johnston's imposing
songwriting skill and four years between records, one can't help but expect
a bit more. While any new material from the Poets is certainly cause for
celebration, one can't help but cast a wistful backwards glance at the debut
and sophomore efforts – daunting high-water marks that Johnston and his
cohorts have yet to equal.

Read more about Smalltown Poets at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/smalltownpoets


MORE NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM

Review: C.I.W.Y.W. - LA Symphony
http://cMusicWeb.com/hiphop/lasymphony/ciwyw.shtml

Review: The Movement - Sharlok Poems
http://cMusicWeb.com/hiphop/sharlokpoems/movement.shtml


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

PURCHASE THIS MUSIC AND MORE AT GRASSROOTSMUSIC.COM:
http://www.grassrootsmusic.com/?associateid=249

ROOM NOISES - EISLEY
I'll admit: this PICK OF THE WEEK is not for everybody. But at least give it
a try. Eisley is a new pop/rock band has their own unique sound. One minute
the music reminds you of Radiohead, the next of The Beatles, but the soaring
vocals of Stacey bring it all back together. These four siblings and a
friend from Texas deliver music that is like no other. Check the band that
has toured with Coldplay, Brand New, Snow Patrol, and will be out this
spring with New Found Glory.

SNAPSHOTS: LIVE AND FAN FAVORITES - CHRIS RICE
Apparently a greatest hits album was not good enough for Rocketown Records
and Chris Rice fans. While there is nothing really new in these fifteen
tracks, fans will enjoy this collection of B-sides, live recordings, and
popular songs that didn't make it onto the greatest hits disc.


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even more great content. If you have any comments or questions, please reply
to this e-mail or send them to webmaster@.... We'd love to hear
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Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
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