BY CHRIS NIXON
For the San Diego Union-Tribune
May 11, 2006
'That song was inspired by my grandmother, who passed away when I was 13. One night, I dreamed she came to me, and in the dream she said 'Sing happy things.' When I woke up, I said 'I will,' but nothing worked. Instead, I thought I'd at least make a song sound happy,” says San Diego singer-songwriter Greg Laswell about the first single from his upcoming sophomore release.
Describing the sound of “Sing Theresa Says” as happy might be a stretch. The first song on Laswell's new disc has enough sad beauty to extend June gloom all year. But sad or happy, Laswell is a great producer and song sculptor.
“Through Toledo” (Vanguard, three and a half stars), his second album as a solo artist, finds Laswell recovering from a painful divorce. The record's lyrics and sound reflect the multi-instrumentalist's tough emotional times. The result is 11 strikingly crafted, heartbreaking pop songs. Laswell mentioned recently in a profile for Night&Day's Street section that two favorite albums are Radiohead's “OK Computer” and The Beatles' “Revolver.” With “Through Toledo's” penchant for layered production, subtle reverse guitar lines and artsy approach, both influences make sense.
When he's not producing albums for other San Diego musicians like Molly Jenson and Dustin Shey, Laswell has been building a bigger audience with tons of local shows (check www.greglaswell.com). He's also playing a free show June 23 with Anya Marina at El Cajon's “Concerts on the Green.” “Through Toledo” isn't scheduled to hit record stores until July 11, but you can check out his first album, “Good Movie” (best local album at the San Diego Music Awards), in the meantime and see him live to tide you over.
Chris Nixon is a San Diego music writer.
