On first listen, you might think Rhoderic Land’s “King Kong Tonight” is one of the campiest love songs you’ve heard in years. But listen again and again — trust me, you will — and the exotic charm of the tune will swing into your subconsciousness. Land’s singing is both brawny and restrained, playful and tender.
On many of the other songs on the album, especially “Sussie – Part 1″ and “All You Have,” Land crawls luxuriously through the melodies in much the same way that Geraint Watkins did on his “In a Bad Mood” album a few years ago.
Land’s a romantic, even when he sings the cynical mid-tempo rockabilly tune, “A Million Dollars.” He’s funny, too. But there’s nothing humorous or campy about his take on “House of the Rising Sun,” a track filled with longing and love. It’s one of the prettiest renditions of the tune I’ve ever heard.
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Excellent review. I agree. you hit the nail on the head.
I never get tired of Rhoderic Land.
Rhoderic’s music and lyrics are unique, original and completely captivating!