Dwight Twilley Band - Twilley Don't Mind

 

Although the first album (Sincerely) was not a commercial success, the Dwight Twilley Band (Dwight, Phil Seymour and Bill Pitcock) received enough critical acclaim to call for this follow-up, which, if anything, is an even better, more consistent release. Further pure power-pop with terrific melodies and harmonies and plenty of sharp guitar work, sorta in the vein of early Tom Petty, who guests on this record as a return favor for Dwight and Phil providing backing vocals on Tom's more successful debut.

The sound is certainly crisper, more biting and dramatic here and on the opening title cut, there's some well done horns'n'piano added to the mix for a fuller sound. "Looking For the Magic" was the shoulda-been hit from this one - nicely upbeat with slightly rockabilly-hiccupped vocals and a Petty-ish anthemic chorus. "Then I Remember" is a power-pop-ballad with some strong hooks, "Rock and Roll 47" sounds almost like Cheap Trick with its edgy guitars behind the Robin Zander-esque melodies'n'growls (and even some horn-work reminiscent of some later CT productions), "Trying To Find My Baby" is more of a piano-lead pop ballad with more 50's elements, then "Here She Comes" returns to an upbeat and, yes, Cheap Trick-ish, rocker with some fine lead guitar work, "Sleeping" is, appropriately enough, a quiet, ethereal ballad, while "Chance to Get Away" has some country/bluegreass elements - maybe a touch like Crosby, Stills and Nash? - before the album closes with "Invasion", another 70's rocker with edgy guitars and even a touch of feedback here'n'there!

As I said, while the debut had some fantastic numbers, this record is a bit more consistent and with the superior production, it is probably the better of the two, but if you're a power-pop fan you should absolutely own both!