Michael McDermott's latest CD release titled "Hey La Hey" has arrived. What exactly does "Hey La Hey" mean, you ask? No clue...it's just a fun phrase to sing would be my guess. Remember the Simple Mind's huge hit from the Breakfast Club soundtrack began with "Hey Hey Hey Hey, ewwwwwewwwwwwhoooooaaaah? What about "Hey la, hey la, my boyfriends back"? Sing along with me here..."Na na na na, Na na na na, hey hey hey, gooood bye"? "Hey hey mama said the way you move"...you get the idea. Dead horse thoroughly beaten.
 
First listening impressions fall into the Dylan/Petty/Mellencamp camp (That's just fun to say...Mellencamp camp. I know, I know I’m easily entertained and distracted by shiny objects)...oooooh, look, a squirrel!

The CD opens with the song, "So Am I". It’s a pleasant mix of acoustic and electric guitar, strong bass playing, piano and a touch of harmonica. The band picks up steam at the song’s outro as Michael passionately sings "Hey La Hey"! That's the CD title as well...coincidence?

"Hard To Break" features female vocalist Kate York whose voice sounds familiar whether you've actually heard her before or not. Her cigarette scorched pipes combined with some great drumming and strong lyrics blend for a standout song that makes you wonder why it hasn’t been a radio hit. So effective is her delivery that when she wails the line, "Some habits are so hard to break",  I found myself nodding my head in agreement.

"I Wanna Know Why" switches gears and imitates Elvis Costello with an upbeat tempo as catchy as the clap but with less itch (I apologize for not growing tired of the same old clichés') and excellent musicianship throughout.
 
Twang twang twang goes the gee-tar at the beginning of "The Great American Novel", but in a good way. There is strong storytelling inside these songs, imagine Elvis Costello's septum-gone-awry marrying Tom Petty's nasal drawl. This may make one ugly lovechild but it’s a hell of a musician. When one of the band utters, "Oh no!" in the background you appreciate the fun atmosphere and detail that is put into the music.

"Room 411" begins stripped down to acoustic guitar and genuine vocals for a very pleasant sound. Imagine some Bob Seger-style lyrics that the average Joe (or Joanne) can listen to. About two minutes into the song something odd happens, a country song stretches it's arms and morphs into a short lived but amazing refrain featuring pounding drums, keyboards, and vibes....that's right, my second review in a row with the famed Vibraphone. Jealous much? All of these instruments blended seamlessly into a melody that I found myself enjoying on the first spin, hitting the replay, and enjoying for a second time. During the same refrain Michael throws in another "Hey La Hey" ....downright eerie. All kidding aside, a stellar song worthy of repeated listenings.

"The Year It All Went Wrong" presents a mellower, more acoustic strum about 'gambling, guns, trains, tickets, missed a plane and hopped a boat'...but enough about Plaxico Burress. This is country music with melodic refrains and guitar that carry most of the songs into rock and pop territory. The CD's title cut "Hey La Hey" begins with an oddly-tuned guitar harmonic that compliments the song and again avoids the strict label we stamp on country music. I wouldn't even call it Alt Country, more likeProgressive Country if there is such an animal. To take a quote from every Scooby Doo episode, "Sounds crazy, but it just might work" holds true. It's an odd mix that works in the bands favor.

"Dream Come True" features the drummer energetically pounding the floor toms a la Mick Fleetwood, which is very complimentary to the pop-country with a polish that keeps things sounding fresh. What's this, a flute? In a Country song, what more evidence does one need that the apocalypse is nearing? The closing song, "Carry Your Cross" is a stripped down piano and soft guitar song, sung with a Tom Waits gargling with glass effect that is intimate and airy. The track carries itself with an unrefined beauty that could easily have been ruined by lesser musicians or a more meddling producer. Lastly, the bonus track, "So Am I" begins with an 80's Phil Collins drum and synthesizer sound. This is the same song lyrically as the opening track but with a completely different set of instruments. It’s an odd but interesting touch on a CD that is already full of surprises.