The folks over at XR Volume sent me a copy of Jamie Alimorad’s EP a few weeks ago, and it rocked! So, I was pretty excited when the full album “Words Left Unsaid,” arrived and I wasn’t dissapointed.

The album’s opener, “Tiffany” sets the mood, and kicks things off with a bang. Right from the start, we know this is straight up rock and roll, with all the necessary accoutrements. Jamie has a knack ( ooh, there’s a good comparison – sorry for jumping track ) for witing a boy-seeks-girl-seeks-boy-heartbreak-love-you-so-much song in a way that makes you smile and sing along. It’s like he knows that the pain is part of the beauty and it’s all going to be just great in the end. Anyone remember “The Knack”? His songwriting is like theirs in that it’s to the point, poignant, and humourosly light at the same time.

One of the things I like best about this record is that it plays like a record; it even has that good “side A – side B” transitional feeling, and some of the best songs are like gems hidden toward the end of the album. Each song has it’s own little things that make it stand out, and there are lots of surprises. It’s kind of like riding a roller coaster with your eyes closed – I was jamming along and really into it, and even though I knew the ride was coming to an end, when the last tune was over, I had to check the playlist because is was thinking, “What? Is it really over!”

I’ve got to give Jamie and his team two big thumbs up on the musicianship and production on this one, too. With Jamie’s songwriting and arrangement skills, the New York style is the perfect compliment. Great guitar tones, wacky little synth bits and big, awesome drums back up real, powerful vocals and distinct harmonies.

These songs should be on the radio, and I’ll be surprised if they don’t start showing up on the air, real soon. I know some folks are going to be hearing them blasting out of my Bronco as I pass through town… It’s hard for me to think of current radio artists to compare him, to because – honestly – most of them aren’t nearly as good.

It seems I’m not alone in liking this record, here is the latest news from Jamie:

It’s Awesome! – First, “That’s What She Said” is currently the #1 single for the fourth week in a row on the IMC ReverbNation charts and “Dancing With You” reached #1. Second, I have received two nominations for the 2013 Artists In Music Awards for Best Pop Artist and Best Rock Artist and a nomination for the 2012 Hollywood Music In Media Awards for Best Rock Song (“Weapon”). Third, I am singing background vocals on the lead single, “I Hate Myself”, on Rick Springfield’s new album Songs For The End Of The World, due out October 9th .

Do your self a favor, hit the links below and grab a copy of “Words Left Unsaid”.

UPDATE:  “That’s What She Said” (insert wink) …

Due to lots of comments like Katie’s, “You can’t talk about Words Left Unsaid without talking about Beautiful and That’s What She Said. Those are my favorite two songs with Dancing With You and Don’t Say It’s Over right behind them,” I suppose I really can’t…

Going backward… I already wrote a whole review on “Dancing With You“, it’s a great tune!

“Beautiful” is (what’s the word ?) beautiful. Emotional and strong, he tells it like it is. Any man who loves  a woman and truly loves her see’s her as the most lovely thing ever and always will. OK, I’m only speaking from experience, there. Let me put it this way. As a songwriter who loves his wife, I wish I had written this song.

“That’s What She Said” has a great lyrical turn, but I gotta rock it on the production , this is the one that I was really thinking about when I mentioned the synth bits. I love ’em! Going on a limb, my guess is he’s using Korg, Nord, and Roland units, there for some really classy sounds. Oh, and that gated guitar is just cool! These are the things that I like about this one, it’s  a whole lot like listening to a brand new Van Halen tune when I was a kid – the same fun, rocking feeling. The same on “Does It Really Have To End This Way”, the Dx-7 intro and Mashall amp sounds really drive a great song.

I’m going to stand my ground on “Forever and a Day” being my favorite. There’s something about it that really sets the whole record on one piece of “wax” if you dig.

Now, let’s have some fun!

Would you like to participate in a live video interview with Jamie Alimorad?

Again, in response to so many comments, we are definitely working on it. Unfortunately, I’ll be out of pocket for a couple of weeks.

Here is the plan: Thursday Oct 4 around 7 pm C.S.T., we will have a Live G+ Hangout On Air. You will be able to see it live on Google Plus or YouTube, and it will be archived on YouTube. You will be able to comment and ask questions live in the Hangout window!

As a bonus, During the interview, we will be able to have extra guests and you might be one of them!

Ask Jamie a Question Here to get one of those seats! https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/c251d5nv0d3c4qvqkr1vjf71hfg

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/words-left-unsaid/id548723420

http://www.reverbnation.com/jamiealimorad

http://www.facebook.com/jamiealimorad

http://www.youtube.com/user/JamieAlimorad/videos?view=0

Jamie on G+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/111906758282288710789