Headrush, the 1992 release by singer/songwriter Joshua Path, is a fairly unremarkable record despite the presence of some fairly well-known hired guns lending a hand. Drummer Steve Epstien, bassist Matt Bissonette, and saxophonist Dave Koz all bring some serious musical chops to the table, but it isn't enough to raise Headrush above much more than mediocre. Path is a nondescript vocalist and his lyrics tend to be banal at best and somewhat over-the-top at worst. Granted the record has more balls, musically, than the usual Southern California singer/songwriter fare, but bravado will only take you so far. A few numbers -- "Celibate Tonight" with a slight power-pop feel, the crunchy title track, and the too-long "Kama Sutra" -- are worth checking out because of some tasty fretwork from guitarist Steve Fister, if you don't listen to hard. Odds are, however, they won't sustain your attention long enough for close scrutiny.
© Tom Demalon /TiVo