HERO AND VILLAIN
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HERO AND VILLAINProduced by Earle Mankey, it's a mix of Mr. Encrypto originals and a few choice covers, by Brian Wilson, Ivy, Len Barry, and Crazy Horse.
"'What Goes Wrong' has more hooks than Grandpa's fishing hat...this is the way records used to be made." Tom Swope, Cleveland's Music's Bottom Line, Feb. 2001 “…a non-stop string of underground hits -- we’re talking hits in the grand tradition of what hits OUGHT to be: super-catchy, super-smart, well-constructed…the kinda stuff the Turtles recorded. We have seldom heard harmony vocals sound this good. In our minds this has already become an INSTANT CLASSIC...one of the very BEST releases of the year." LMNOP reviews, babysue.com, Sept. 2001 "...the best pop influences make their mark. ‘This Means War!’ displays the quirkiness of the Doors; 'What Goes Wrong' is a rocking gem in the tradition of the Buffalo Springfield and the Rolling Stones; 'The Last Time' is a textural masterpiece that the likes of the Beach Boys and the Association would be proud of." Kevin Mathews, powerofpop.tripod.com, Sept. 2001 "At times, this disc has a vibe similar to some of the best American indie-pop records of the mid-80's." Mike Bennett, fufkin.com, Oct. 2001 "One unshakeable fact: the music here is outstanding… the overriding things that grab you are both the vocals and the pop sensibilities of the songs. 'Long After Long’ took me back to the days of REM, with just a smidgen of B-52s... There has been a lot work go into this project -- let me tell you, it was worth it." Terry Allen, hEARd.com.au, Nov. 2001 “A dazzlingly rich pastiche of style and texture. Great horn charts in ‘What Goes Wrong’… a melancholy reading of Len Barry’s ‘1-2-3’… first, second and third generation ‘60s references without a hint of irony or tribute, incorporating all of it into his own uniquely twisted musical vision with just slightly less than a straight face. Gordon wears his Beatles/Beach Boys influences like a tilted crown...reminiscient of fellow one-man pop juggernaut Roy Wood." Brian Baker, Amplifier #27, Nov/Dec. 2001 “Gordon possesses a wonderful voice, pretty enough to do the melodies justice but gritty enough to add a healthy dollop of soul to the proceedings… the latest power-pop phenomenon ready for world domination.”Michel Toland, highbias.com, April 7, 2002
"Worthy of legitimate critical praise. Fans of Burt Bacharach, Brian Wilson, Todd Rundgren, Paul McCartney, Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne will adore these songs. Highly recommended!" Bryan Swirsky, Big Takeover #50
"'What Goes Wrong' has more hooks than Grandpa's fishing hat...this is the way records used to be made." Tom Swope, Cleveland's Music's Bottom Line, Feb. 2001 “…a non-stop string of underground hits -- we’re talking hits in the grand tradition of what hits OUGHT to be: super-catchy, super-smart, well-constructed…the kinda stuff the Turtles recorded. We have seldom heard harmony vocals sound this good. In our minds this has already become an INSTANT CLASSIC...one of the very BEST releases of the year." LMNOP reviews, babysue.com, Sept. 2001 "...the best pop influences make their mark. ‘This Means War!’ displays the quirkiness of the Doors; 'What Goes Wrong' is a rocking gem in the tradition of the Buffalo Springfield and the Rolling Stones; 'The Last Time' is a textural masterpiece that the likes of the Beach Boys and the Association would be proud of." Kevin Mathews, powerofpop.tripod.com, Sept. 2001 "At times, this disc has a vibe similar to some of the best American indie-pop records of the mid-80's." Mike Bennett, fufkin.com, Oct. 2001 "One unshakeable fact: the music here is outstanding… the overriding things that grab you are both the vocals and the pop sensibilities of the songs. 'Long After Long’ took me back to the days of REM, with just a smidgen of B-52s... There has been a lot work go into this project -- let me tell you, it was worth it." Terry Allen, hEARd.com.au, Nov. 2001 “A dazzlingly rich pastiche of style and texture. Great horn charts in ‘What Goes Wrong’… a melancholy reading of Len Barry’s ‘1-2-3’… first, second and third generation ‘60s references without a hint of irony or tribute, incorporating all of it into his own uniquely twisted musical vision with just slightly less than a straight face. Gordon wears his Beatles/Beach Boys influences like a tilted crown...reminiscient of fellow one-man pop juggernaut Roy Wood." Brian Baker, Amplifier #27, Nov/Dec. 2001 “Gordon possesses a wonderful voice, pretty enough to do the melodies justice but gritty enough to add a healthy dollop of soul to the proceedings… the latest power-pop phenomenon ready for world domination.”Michel Toland, highbias.com, April 7, 2002
"Worthy of legitimate critical praise. Fans of Burt Bacharach, Brian Wilson, Todd Rundgren, Paul McCartney, Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne will adore these songs. Highly recommended!" Bryan Swirsky, Big Takeover #50
SECRET IDENTITY CRISIS
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SECRET IDENTITY CRISISMr. Encrypto's first chance to make a second impression. Again produced by Earle Mankey, it's also a mix of Mr. Encrypto originals and a few choice covers -- this time by the Kinks, the Byrds, the Apples in Stereo and the Small Faces.
“Secret Identity Crisis” is the second LP he’s made (“Hero and Villain” is the other) that traffics in the sort of timeless pop influences that serve him well. For he also writes his own songs that sound like bright versions of power-pop songs. Some, like “The One You Love,” sound like light Badfinger or Rundgren. Others are neo-Beach Boys, and the opening (acoustic) and closing (full band, highlight!) Neil Young-ish “Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World” cop, “Rock and Roll is Killing Me,” expresses his (and my) thorough immersion in this stuff. “I’m only looking for a hook where I can hang my head” indeed! From one fan to another, keep it going!Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover 49, Jan. 2002
"Here we have eleven tracks stripped of any nonessential elements...and casting a definite spotlight on vocal melodies... a particularly well-done version of Ray Davies' 'Dreams' that sounds so good it rivals the original." LMNOP reviews, babysue.com, Oct. 2001
"Secret Identity Crisis emulates Neil Young's classic Rust Never Sleeps by opening and closing with different versions of the same song, in this case the hypnotic 'Rock And Roll Is Killing Me (Softly)' and closing with the raucous 'Rock And Roll Is Killing Me (Loudly.)' We couldn't get enough of the first Mr. Encrypto record, and this new one likewise looks to be an immediate fave on our little mutant radio show." Carl & Dana, THIS IS ROCK'N'ROLL RADIO, WXXE [Note: Now Spark Syracuse] Syracuse, NY. Oct. 6, 2003
" ...this record edges toward more introspective material, mixing in some depth with the expected pop magic. Yep, Mr. Encrypto has some singer-songwriter in him. And he's quite good at it...The soft take (of 'Rock And Roll Is Killing Me') is poignant, while the closer is a no holds barred poison laced version that rocks in an appropriately lethal way. While I certainly enjoyed the debut disc, this record is a fuller experience, and backed up by strong songs throughout. I foresee further growth on the horizon." Mike Bennett, fufkin.com, Dec. 2003
"Against all odds the whole concoction works, and works pretty damn well. The vocals remind you of a slightly less rattled and more poppy Neil Young, and it is simply impossible not to tap your toes and nod along. The album's keynote track is "Rock And Roll Is Killing Me'...it's hard not to be reminded of 'My My Hey Hey' in both style and track positioning but Mr. Encrypto holds his own, which is no mean achievement." Jeremy Searle, Americana-UK.com, Dec. 28, 2003.
"Full of sublime original 60's influenced pop and also includes a superb cover of the Byrds tune 'Get To You.' This one really delivers the vintage pop goods." Jeremy Morris, Jam Records catalog (www.jamrecordings.com)
"Although it's more rock oriented and less produced than Mr. Encrypto's debut, Secret Identity Crisis is not short on the mind-blowing chord changes that marked his first record. Standout tracks include the laid back "Another Good Year" and the menacing blues thumper 'The Big One'... also personalized versions of the Kinks' 'Dreams,' the Apples in Stereo's 'Silver Chain,' and the Small Faces' 'I Feel Much Better.' Not to be missed.'" David Bash, Amplifier #40, Jan-Feb 2004
"Double-take at the Neil Young-inflected 'Rock and Roll Is Killing Me (Softly)' with its companion piece 'Rock and Roll Is Killing Me (Loudly)', marvel at the clearly Roger McGuinn-inspired countrified rocker 'Silence is Poison' and thrill to the rustic psychedelic 'Another Good Year' as Gordon and co-producer Earle (Sparks) Mankey prove that it is possible to pay tribute to the magical 60s and yet remain creative and relevant." Kevin Mathews, powerofpop.com, Jan. 27, 2004
"Secret Identity Crisis is even better than the debut Hero and Villain, with sharper melodies, cleaner arrangements and plenty of Encrypto's soulful vocals. Cool taste in covers (the Kinks, the Small Faces, the Byrds, the Apples in Stereo) as well." Michael Toland, highbias.com, Feb. 29, 2004
“...a brilliant homage to Rust Never Sleeps-era Neil Young called 'Rock and Roll Is Killing Me (Softly),' with singer Gordon honing in on the kind of loneliness and desperation that the best rock’n’roll ever waxed speaks to. (Album closer, Neil style, is the antithesis, a screaming rocker called 'Rock and Roll Is Killing Me (Loudly)'.) In between, the mysterious Encrypto mines a thick vein of clever original, 60s burnished pop and choice covers like the Byrds’ 'Get To You' and the Kinks’ 'Dreams.' Of the originals, 'Silence Is Poison,' a subterranean slice of rock’n’roll and sly wordplay along the lines of certain works by Mr. Dylan and Mr. Costello, delves straight into the contradictions of life.” Luke Torn, Pop Culture Press #58, Spring/Summer 2004
"Here we have eleven tracks stripped of any nonessential elements...and casting a definite spotlight on vocal melodies... a particularly well-done version of Ray Davies' 'Dreams' that sounds so good it rivals the original." LMNOP reviews, babysue.com, Oct. 2001
"Secret Identity Crisis emulates Neil Young's classic Rust Never Sleeps by opening and closing with different versions of the same song, in this case the hypnotic 'Rock And Roll Is Killing Me (Softly)' and closing with the raucous 'Rock And Roll Is Killing Me (Loudly.)' We couldn't get enough of the first Mr. Encrypto record, and this new one likewise looks to be an immediate fave on our little mutant radio show." Carl & Dana, THIS IS ROCK'N'ROLL RADIO, WXXE [Note: Now Spark Syracuse] Syracuse, NY. Oct. 6, 2003
" ...this record edges toward more introspective material, mixing in some depth with the expected pop magic. Yep, Mr. Encrypto has some singer-songwriter in him. And he's quite good at it...The soft take (of 'Rock And Roll Is Killing Me') is poignant, while the closer is a no holds barred poison laced version that rocks in an appropriately lethal way. While I certainly enjoyed the debut disc, this record is a fuller experience, and backed up by strong songs throughout. I foresee further growth on the horizon." Mike Bennett, fufkin.com, Dec. 2003
"Against all odds the whole concoction works, and works pretty damn well. The vocals remind you of a slightly less rattled and more poppy Neil Young, and it is simply impossible not to tap your toes and nod along. The album's keynote track is "Rock And Roll Is Killing Me'...it's hard not to be reminded of 'My My Hey Hey' in both style and track positioning but Mr. Encrypto holds his own, which is no mean achievement." Jeremy Searle, Americana-UK.com, Dec. 28, 2003.
"Full of sublime original 60's influenced pop and also includes a superb cover of the Byrds tune 'Get To You.' This one really delivers the vintage pop goods." Jeremy Morris, Jam Records catalog (www.jamrecordings.com)
"Although it's more rock oriented and less produced than Mr. Encrypto's debut, Secret Identity Crisis is not short on the mind-blowing chord changes that marked his first record. Standout tracks include the laid back "Another Good Year" and the menacing blues thumper 'The Big One'... also personalized versions of the Kinks' 'Dreams,' the Apples in Stereo's 'Silver Chain,' and the Small Faces' 'I Feel Much Better.' Not to be missed.'" David Bash, Amplifier #40, Jan-Feb 2004
"Double-take at the Neil Young-inflected 'Rock and Roll Is Killing Me (Softly)' with its companion piece 'Rock and Roll Is Killing Me (Loudly)', marvel at the clearly Roger McGuinn-inspired countrified rocker 'Silence is Poison' and thrill to the rustic psychedelic 'Another Good Year' as Gordon and co-producer Earle (Sparks) Mankey prove that it is possible to pay tribute to the magical 60s and yet remain creative and relevant." Kevin Mathews, powerofpop.com, Jan. 27, 2004
"Secret Identity Crisis is even better than the debut Hero and Villain, with sharper melodies, cleaner arrangements and plenty of Encrypto's soulful vocals. Cool taste in covers (the Kinks, the Small Faces, the Byrds, the Apples in Stereo) as well." Michael Toland, highbias.com, Feb. 29, 2004
“...a brilliant homage to Rust Never Sleeps-era Neil Young called 'Rock and Roll Is Killing Me (Softly),' with singer Gordon honing in on the kind of loneliness and desperation that the best rock’n’roll ever waxed speaks to. (Album closer, Neil style, is the antithesis, a screaming rocker called 'Rock and Roll Is Killing Me (Loudly)'.) In between, the mysterious Encrypto mines a thick vein of clever original, 60s burnished pop and choice covers like the Byrds’ 'Get To You' and the Kinks’ 'Dreams.' Of the originals, 'Silence Is Poison,' a subterranean slice of rock’n’roll and sly wordplay along the lines of certain works by Mr. Dylan and Mr. Costello, delves straight into the contradictions of life.” Luke Torn, Pop Culture Press #58, Spring/Summer 2004