Every once in a while a record comes along and unexpectedly captivates you. It gets a hold of you so much that all you can do is listen to it over and over and over again, etching a groove in your brain and a smile upon your face. This is the feeling that I got from the Detroit trio Empty Houses and their debut full-length, Daydream. What made this so unexpected, is that there are no other bands like them in my record collection. None. You see, this punk rock kid is just not used to listening to records that pay homage to groups that were recording hit records in Empty Houses’ hometown 50 years ago. But that is exactly what Empty Houses is, a band that mixes pop with soul and R & B that could have easily been released by Motown Records in 1966 but is instead coming out June 10th on the Los Angeles-based label Sargent House.
My favourite aspect of Daydream, is that it simply makes me want to get on my feet and dance. And I’m not just talking about the type where you stand up against a wall and tap your toe, but the kind of carefree dancing that gets your whole body moving as your grin beams from ear to ear. That doesn’t mean that this isn’t a serious record. Contained within this album of danceable love songs are also songs that will stop you dead in your tracks and rip your heart out. The most gripping among these is “Every Word” that comes towards the end of the album. A song about a relationship that deteriorated and the healing process through that lose, the pain can be felt with each note and lyric. Truly a song that suspends the dancing, if only for a moment, to grab a tissue and swim in that pain.
What sets Empty Houses apart, besides their sunny, throwback tunes, is the voice of Ali Shea. Without any shred of doubt, she commands your attention with each song on the record and never lets it go. Whether it is an upbeat tune like “Daydream” or “Falling Apart” to more of an R & B sound of “Hold Your Hold” to a powerful ballad like “Every Word”, Shea pivots from booming, bright vocals to breathy and even seductive tones effortlessly. It is also noteworthy that Shea’s voice doesn’t overpower the record, which would take away from the musicianship that Adam Mercer and David Mackinder, both known as members of the punk band Fireworks, bring to the table. With a voice like hers and a record like this, Daydream could have easily felt like a solo record with a backing band, but it doesn’t . The perfect blend of tones through the album can be credited to producer Graham Marsh, a four-time Grammy winner who has worked with artists like CeeLo Green, Common and Bruno Mars. His efforts on this album should not be understated, as the production is flawless. With certain songs calling for keyboards, horns and various uncommon percussion instruments, finding that balance along with Shea’s voice could make a break a record like this, and Marsh does it masterfully.
With Daydream, Empty Houses have created a breath of fresh air that is the perfect package to get your heart racing, your body dancing and your face smiling. It is a record that you will want to listen to over and over and over again.