Josh Reichmann

To call After Live Josh Reichmann's "debut" (although technically correct) undermines just how seasoned this Toronto, ON musician has become over the past decade. With Tangiers, and as Jewish Legend and Josh Reichmann Oracle Band, Reichmann has put out six full-lengths over the past eight years. But if there was ever a reason to renew interest in this ever-evolving songwriter, After Live is it. Releasing his strongest set of songs since Tangiers' debut LP, After Live is both wildly individualistic and inspired by a thousand college rock heroes before him. The broken glass/muffler rhythms of "All Day Wrong" evoke the spirit of Richard Hell, Richard Butler and Richie Hawtin (or three completely different musicians upon second listen). But as demonstrated on "People Fade Away," "Wildly Waiting" and "Empty Purse," Reichmann's strength lies in his arrangements, as flimsy, synth-driven rhythms hold together well-situated, dense vocal melodies. This is pretty impressive, for a debut.