Schoolbus Window Paper Heart by Phil Ayoub (Music Review by A.L. Harper)
Schoolbus Window Paper Heart
by Phil Ayoub
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Singer-songwriter Phil Ayoub (pronounced A-yoob), is a deep-thinking, deep-feeling, quintessential all American boy from Boston. Former frontman of indie rock band Riverside Train, Ayoub decided to go solo when the band broke up. A prolific songwriter he had over 40 of his own acoustic demos already for an album when fate intervened, Ayoub saw an ad on a local trade website for musician/producer, Tim Bradshaw, looking to work with local talent and an accidental partnership was born.
Bradshaw — long time keyboard and guitar player for David Gray – who had not long moved from London to New England, loved the demos that Ayoub sent him signed on to produce his debut solo album. Schoolbus Window Paper Heart is a warm, apple pie and cold beer album with the strong American music influences of Ayoub and the Brit rock influences of Bradshaw.
“This amazing debut album is filled with beautiful, deep, often playful lyrics, acoustic guitar, jangely synth and of course, Ayoub’s earthy, gentle, sensual vocals.”
Ayoub’s extraordinary ability to paint a deeply stirring, sweetly-poignant picture with emotive, insightful lyrics and pure natural music combined with Bradshaw’s time-earned experience and production know-how, have created a smooth polish to Ayoub’s personal, frequently humorous thoughts and experiences. This amazing debut album is filled with beautiful, deep, often playful lyrics, acoustic guitar, jangely synth and of course, Ayoub’s earthy, gentle, sensual vocals.
Although produced and, in some places co-written, by a David Gray-ite, this album is easily better than anything Gray has done and has a much stronger roc-pop flavour. The opening track, “White Feather”, is a good example of this, even as the weakest track on this very strong CD. Ayoub says “White Feather was written in the few days after 9/11 and is about the events of that day… from the perspective of someone who was not directly affected… but who was still deeply affected nonetheless.” This track opens with Dylan-esque harmonica leading into electric guitar, synth and drum that lead it away from that particular rock-god style of song.
“Lying And Stealing” is about a break up but not seen from the heart-break side. This strongly pop-feel song is about that moment when you know it’s not going to work and you begin to ask yourself why. According to Ayoub, when his relationship ended he “was questioning myself a bit, about how I approached the relationship, as well the other person’s expectations.” The acoustic hook at the beginning of this track compliments the synth and electric that soon join it and together warmly embrace Ayoub’s fabulous vocals.
“River to Ocean” has a power-pop current running right through it. About releasing yourself from the fear of disapproval this track is a joyous, effervescent expression of Ayoub’s desire/dream/wish to let loose the shackles of social confinement we have all experienced in our lives.
Easily my favourite track on Schoolbus Window Paper Heart is “Low (or Libra)” possibly because I am a Libra but mainly it is the moody sensuality of this track. Here Ayoub explores the middle ground “that I tend to live in — as a Libra, of course.” This arousing, overtly sexual track has feeling of melancholy that touches you but never overwhelms and makes “Low (of Libra)” a departure from the rest of this remarkable album and a standout track.
The sweetly-romantic “Goodnight Kiss” maintains that singer-songwriter feel of the rest of the album but on this track there is a more acoustic folk feel. This love song will appeal to everyone with lyrics like “I’d drive all night/ to kiss your check in the morning/ The dawn it don’t deserve your light”. It’s enough to put a smile on your heart.
Phil Ayoub’s debut album Schoolbus Window Paper Heart is filled with poignant, honest romantic lyrics and simple melodies coupled with pop-hooks that will keep you hooked from the first track to the ironically funny secret track. Schoolbus Window Paper Heart is an album I would strongly recommend and would make the perfect Christmas Gift.
If you would like to listen to Schoolbus Window Paper Heart you can find it on Phil’s website or his MySpace space. Or better yet just got to CDBaby and buy it.
A.L. Harper is a freelance writer and motorbike fanatic originally from Salt Lake City, Utah but now living in Scotland. In edition to being the Managing Editor for All Things Girl, A.L. is the Assistant Music Editor for Blogcritics.org and a freelance writer for hire.
