Somewhere between the commercially successful Pop-Rock of Matchbox 20 and the critically acclaimed Rock-Pop of Radiohead sits Tommy Flake. A self-confessed control freak, his debut album "Bliss" is a remarkably mature blend of superb production and superlative song writing. Both his guitar and voice work in perfection with the talented musicians he has gathered around him for this eleven-track beauty.
I receive up to twenty CD’s a day, and I have a set habit, whilst leafing through the bands press release I will sample the music, occasionally listening to an entire track, but normally just getting a sense of what the band is all about. The actual "full attention" listen has to wait at least a few days. I could not do that with "Bliss", I didn’t dare hit that skip button, I found myself not only listening to it in it’s entirety, I listened to it three times in a row. Each time feeling the wonder of having stumbled upon such a remarkable product.
He kicks of with "Mary Magdelene", a track that reminds me of both Radiohead and the Smashing Pumpkins, with it’s layered guitar and tortured vocals. An instant classic. Track three sees him moving into an absolutely beautiful piece of pure pop called "Ocean". A song I defy you not to like. "This Today" saunters into the territory of John Lennon, with simplistic lyrics, and a lifting vocal line that hooks the corner of your mouth and forces it upwards into a smile.
The album finishes with a ballad called "Angels" that like so much of this album transcends it’s genre and our expectations of it, a song that is sweet with about being sickening. A soft ending to an album that started with such a bang is highly appropriate.
This is a remarkable CD, it has at least six very obvious, very strong singles, and not a filler in sight. How many albums have you bought lately that can claim that?
Some of the credit must go to the production, which is damn near perfect, courtesy of Mr. Flake and Adam Schmitt. The true genius of this album though lies within the songwriting. Tommy Flake has a huge career in front of him, his pop sensibilities are spot on, and the potential appeal for this product is huge. Expect him to be gobbled up by a major label pretty soon. In the meantime, do yourself a favor and check out his music, available at his website, or better still buy the damn album, I doubt you will be disappointed.

Band Website | Contact Tommy Flake | Give Us Feedback on Review