While listening to Dream Good, the new album by Phoenixville-based singer songwriter Cliff Hillis, one word comes to mind.
Sessionable.
The twelve tunes on this album are light and refreshing, energetic pop songs with subtle hints of Costello, Lofgren, Wilco and the sweet finish of Crenshaw. It’s an album you can play repeatedly on a summer night while hanging on the porch with friends.
My favorite song on the album is “Ways and Means,” which packs the most power to the pop. “Sing It Once Again” is a lovely song about the search for meaning and how we find it in those brief unexpected moments. Every song on the album is enjoyable. This is an easy album to place on the iPod and hit shuffle.
To celebrate the release of Dream Good, Hillis and his band the Forward Thinkers will be headlining the Steel City Coffee House in Phoenixville on Friday, June 15th at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door and are available by clicking here.
Dream Good is Hillis’ third album on TallBoy Records. Hillis wrote two tunes with Scot Sax (“Welcome to You” and “When You’re Listening”); “Start Again” was co-written with The Rembrandts’ Danny Wilde (who also contributes bass, guitar and vocals to the album); and “Keep the Blue Skies” was co-written with Philip Price of The Winterpills, who also adds vocals.
In addition to playing Steel City Coffeehouse, Hillis and The Forward Thinkers are also scheduled to play on Sunday, June 17th at Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Call (302) 226-2739 for more information on that venue and performance. They will also perform on Thursday, June 28th at World Cafe Live at The Queen in Wilmington, Delaware. Call (302) 994-1400 for more details on that venue and concert.
Cliff Hillis writes songs, sings, plays guitar, bass and keyboards. He’s an in-demand studio musician who has recorded, produced or mixed many artists, and also performs at times with the popular Philadelphia-area bands Ike, Love Seed Mama Jump and the In the Pocket: Essential Songs of Philadelphia project.
Hillis’ two previous albums, Better Living Through Compression, and The Long Now, garnered praise from USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Absolute Powerpop, Amplifier, Goldmine and many more. His original songs have been featured in several TV shows and films.
Learn more about Cliff’s new album, tour dates and more by visiting cliffhillis.com.
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