Album Review: Richard X Heyman — Copious Notes
Richard X Heyman started making great solo records right out of the gate. Anyone who enjoys highly melodic rock with sterling pop values, hooks galore and just the right amount of oomph simply must own his first several albums. And they’d do well to purchase everything else he’s done, as the man displays impressive quality control.
He’s essentially a one-man band, putting him in that rarefied category alongside McCartney, Rundgren, Wonder and a select few others. There’s a kind of signature sound upon which Heyman can be relied upon to deliver. And on Copious Notes, he delivers that vibe in wonderful fashion. The creamy vocal harmonies of “Nearly There” open the album, and Nancy Leigh’s vocal harmonies are deftly mixed in to make those heavenly choirs even better. The jangle one expects from RXH is present, and the song’s overall vibe makes it sound like gentle rock played in a church. (And that’s meant in the very best possible way.)
Sure, Heyman front-loads his albums like one’s supposed to, but the quality remains consistent. His consummate skills on a multiplicity of instruments – far beyond workmanlike – shines on every single track. The degree of care that went into making the album is obvious throughout.
Heyman’s a master of balladry. He knows his way around a pop tune. And his arrangement skills are superb. He does nearly everything himself, and when he brings in guests, they add something extra-special, too. Few artists can claim a consistency to compare with that of Richard X Heyman. He’s never made a weak album (or EP, for that matter) and it doesn’t look as if he’s going to start now. 34 years after his debut EP, Copious Notes is another winner.
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 4500-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 taught 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: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.