620 W. Surf
Studio album by
Michael McDermott
Released1991
LabelGiant[1]
Producer
Michael McDermott chronology
620 W. Surf
(1991)		 Gethsemane
(1993)

620 W. Surf is the debut album by the American musician Michael McDermott, released in 1991.[2][3] The album is named after McDermott's former address in Chicago.[4]

"A Wall I Must Climb" peaked at No. 34 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.[5] McDermott supported the album with a North American tour that included shows with the BoDeans.[6][7]

Production

The album was produced by Don Gehman and coproduced by Brian Koppelman, who had signed McDermott.[8][9][10] On many songs, McDermott's voice is supported only by his guitar and harmonica; McDermott wrote all of the songs.[11][12] Bruce Hornsby contributed to 620 W. Surf.[13]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[14]
Chicago Sun-Times[11]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[13]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide[15]
The Republican[16]

The Austin American-Statesman wrote that "A Wall I Must Climb" "suggests that his most stirring songcraft also is the simplest, while much of the rest practically begs for McDermott to lighten up a little and submit to some judicious editing."[17] Newsday concluded that "McDermott squanders his feelings and insight on excessive verbiage."[18] The Republican opined that "though far too musically derivative at this point, McDermott is a very capable lyric writer."[16]

The Philadelphia Inquirer stated that Gehman "unleashes a full-throttle rhythm section only where necessary (as on the rocking 'Sacred Ground'), which gives the album a sense of drama and development."[19] The Washington Post concluded that "it probably will take a couple of albums before McDermott sheds some of the stylistic affectations that occasionally get in the way of his storytelling."[20]

AllMusic noted that "the arrangements throughout the record are very effective, and are generally enhanced by McDermott's passionate vocals, though his occasional vocal excesses can become grating and interfere with the introspective tone of his songs."[14]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."A Wall I Must Climb" 
2."Fool's Avenue" 
3."Shadow of the Capitol" 
4."No. 49" 
5."Your Silence I Will Always Admire for Its Being" 
6."Sacred Ground" 
7."620 W. Surf" 
8."Murder in the First Degree" 
9."Death in the Autumn Air" 
10."Mr. Simmons' Arkansas Christmas Blues" 
11."Trembling Hour" 

References

  1. ↑ Caro, Mark (21 June 1991). "National debuts". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. N.
  2. ↑ "Michael McDermott Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. ↑ "Live Sessions". NPR: Live Sessions.
  4. ↑ Heim, Chris (14 June 1991). "Michael McDermott immortalizes...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. O.
  5. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (June 17, 2008). "Joel Whitburn Presents Rock Tracks 1981-2008". Hal Leonard Corporation – via Google Books.
  6. ↑ McTavish, Brian (July 16, 1991). "Music will be in the air almost everywhere Wednesday". The Kansas City Star. p. E6.
  7. ↑ Peterson, Karla (September 27, 1991). "Men in the middle". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. E1.
  8. ↑ "New & Noteworthy — 620 W. Surf by Michael McDermott". Billboard. 103 (25): 70. Jun 22, 1991.
  9. ↑ The Encyclopedia of Record Producers. Billboard Books. 1999. p. 267.
  10. ↑ Wild, David (August 8, 1991). "Mike McDermott Shucking comparisons". Rolling Stone (610): 26.
  11. 1 2 Corcoran, Michael (June 23, 1991). "Michael McDermott, '620 W. Surf'". Show. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 8.
  12. ↑ Herguth, Bob (December 28, 1992). "Michael McDermott". News. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 16.
  13. 1 2 Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 5. MUZE. p. 626.
  14. 1 2 "Michael McDermott 620 W. Surf Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  15. ↑ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 732.
  16. 1 2 O'Hare, Kevin (July 28, 1991). "Michael McDermott, '620 W. Surf'". The Republican. p. F10.
  17. ↑ McLeese, Don (20 June 1991). "Mixed bag from home, abroad". Onward. Austin American-Statesman. p. 19.
  18. ↑ Robins, Wayne (23 June 1991). "Doing the E Street Shuffle". FANFARE. Newsday. p. 21.
  19. ↑ Moon, Tom (30 June 1991). "MUSIC'S GENTLE MEN". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. H1.
  20. ↑ Joyce, Mike (1 Sep 1991). "Michael McDermott: '620 W. Surf'". The Washington Post. p. G5.
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