National Music Reviews
Butch Walker
Afraid Of Ghosts
Dangerbird
Street: 02.03
Butch Walker = Ryan Adams + Pete Yorn – John Mayer
Butch Walker took a bit of an odd route to eventually emerge with a firm footing in the singer/songwriter mold. After major label signings in the late ’80s/early ’90s with the rock band SouthGang, self-descriptively named Floyd’s Funk Revival and pop band the Marvelous 3, by the oughts his solo career finally began in earnest. So by this point in his career, the 45 year old is haunted by plenty of memories, if not demons, in his latest, Afraid Of Ghosts. Produced by Ryan Adams, with guest appearances by Johnny Depp, Mike Viola and Bob Mould, it’s the mark of a seasoned talent who has matured over the weathering force of time, and with all the psychological self-examination, there’s even space for an ode to “Chrissie Hynde!”
–Stakerized!