CD Review: Tony DeSimone's 'Second' Just Makes You Feel Good

Nov 10, 2011
Melissa Kucirek

Tony DeSimone's 'The Second Time Around.' - Photo Courtesy of Tony DeSimone.

Pop music fans will embrace Tony DeSimone's 10-track CD 'The Second Time Around.'

Channeling a bit of Enrique Iglesias, the laid back lyrics of Kenny Chesney and the brightness of Jack Johnson, Tony DeSimone's work on 'The Second Time Around' makes the listener give it a listen or two. And, it sure feels good.

The opening track "A Perfect Day" just puts a smile on the listener's face. What a fun song - it is as if it flew right out a soda pop commercial or romantic comedy montage. Just sit back and take this song in and let it move one's body into a charming dance.

Track two, the title track, slows things down a bit and showers the listener with a beautiful, light violin. The violin becomes the main character in this vocal story - Tony DeSimone's voice breaths this refreshingly whisper to the violin. The lyrics never seem over bearing and surprisingly not repetitive.

Cool Country-Rock Riff

"High On You" (track three) showcases Tony DeSimone's vocal range a bit more. He has this gruffy, growling thing going on. It is rather sexy, really. However, this song is not that sexy. The lyrics are a bit simple - "I'm so high on you and I don't know if I can ever come back again."

"Blue" (track four) has a darker sound to it - the production sounds as if Tony DeSimone is in the next room over. The arrangement is cool - a bit of Fast Ball's sound running through it. The words resonate with the listener here - much more so than "High On You."

The next track, "Two Steps Back To You" has a cool country-rock riff introduction. Tony DeSimone's confident voice is back (he went away in "Blue"), and again he shows his range. This is a fun song - but not as endearing as "A Perfect Day."

In "Mississippi (Burning)" Tony DeSimone's voice is moving and wrought with passion. But, it is the guitar riffs and shadowing production he's added that pulls the emotions. The arrangement is not jarring, but rather, this clinging sonic sound. Other standout tracks are "Going to California" (upbeat and just fun) and "River Mercy" (his words and arrangements are interesting and unexpected here).

Overall CD Review is B+

Overall, Tony DeSimone's The Second Time Around garners a solid B+. This CD has a bit of everything in it - pop, electro, Americana and some pop country flavors mixed.