Album Mini-review: Dhani Harrison & Paul Hicks — Seattle Road
File next to: Vangelis, Tangerine Dream, thenewno2
When George Harrison first stepped out of the shadow of the Beatles, he did so with a pair of albums that few heard. Electronic Sounds was a synthesizer record, and Wonderwall was the soundtrack for a film. Though he’s his own man, Harrison’s son Dhani‘s musical career has its parallels: his group thenewno2 made pop music with a decidedly electronic bent, and of late he’s been involved in soundtrack work. Almost nobody saw Wonderwall, and few are likely to screen the tepidly-received Seattle Road, but the latter’s soundtrack – made with Dhani’s frequent collaborator Paul Hicks – has an appeal of its own. Evocative in its own way, this understated album creates moods. The vinyl- or digital-only Seattle Road rarely rocks; instead it’s filled with sweeping atmospheric instrumentals and some classical-leaning pieces that display its composer’s breadth of skill.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.