Sometimes genius is found in the most unusual of places. In 1963 a new musical voice sprang forth from the working class industrial port town of Liverpool, England--The Beatles changed the face of popular music forever by breaking all the rules and most preconceived notions of what pop music was all about; they forged their own style and became legends in the process. 

Fast forward 38 years, gazing upon the music scene of today it would appear everything possible in "rock" music had been done, experimented with, packaged, marketed and mass produced. But while you were busy watching the passing parade on TRL and the Billboard Charts a record producer, Mike Simpson (produced Beck's "odelay"), made an unusual discovery in the blue-collar town of Libertyville, Illinois. 

Simpson, who is 50% of the famous "Dust Brothers" got his hands on a demo by one of the most unusually gifted artist he had heard since his days of working with Beck, and his enthusiasm sparked a fire in the record industry which led to a bidding war for the eclectic 38 year old songwriter from the Chicago suburbs named Ike Reilly. 

When the dust settled, Ike Reilly had inked a deal with Republic Records, with the label's A&R boss, Tom Mackay, overseeing the process of turning the vision of the former cemetery worker and hotel doorman into a cohesive album. Ike handled production duties along with his guitarist Ed Tinley and industry veteran Mickey Petraila (Beck, Luscious Jackson, the eels) and the final result is the auspicious Ike Reilly debut "Salesmen and Racists". 

Republic Records was the perfect home for Reilly and his band, while Republic is part of the largest record label group in existence (Universal) it is really an indy label at heart. They are one of the only major labels that actually ventures outside the "popular" box to find gripping and interesting new music. Ike Reilly is a perfect case in point; his music is unlike anything else currently riding the charts and record store shelves. To call him eclectic would be a bit of an understatement, he ventures into so many different genres giving each his own personal spin that it's impossible to nail him down. Even going as far as saying that Ike Reilly is what you'd get if you mixed the DNA of Joe Strummer, Elvis Costello, Lou Reed, Beck, Bob Dylan and Sheryl Crow doesn't quite convey what's he's all about. 

 In an age where popular music seems to getting progressively mindless, Ike Reilly is a much-needed breath of fresh air. He proves that rock music can still be versed in artistic expression instead of being simply a slick commercial product at the same time delivering addictive hooks and melodies. Far beyond your normal prosaic lyrical content, Ike plays the part of beat poet weaving stories interspersed with irreverent subject matters. If you've been waiting for an artist to renew your faith in rock n roll, look no further, Ike Reilly's debut album is a landmark release of the year 2001, quite simply an album that comes out of left field and knocks you on your ass causing you to shout proclamations of gratitude to the heavens for delivering you from the inane humdrum of today's music scene. 

The reader must really experience this CD for themselves, no words can begin to convey what Ike Reilly is all about, so follow the link below in the "Want More? section to hear clips from this album and then run don't walk to your nearest record store and pick up a copy of "Salesmen and Racists", it will be the best musical investment you've made in years!
 
 

• Ike Reilly - Guitar, Vocals
• Ed Tinley - Guitar, Bass, Background Vocals, Piano, Wurlitzer organ
• Dave Cottini - Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals

Salesmen and Racists Label: Universal / Republic Rating:  Listen to samples and Purchase this CD online

Tracks: Last Time Angels & Whores Commie Drives a Nova Hip Hop Thighs #17 Hail! Hail! The Assassination of Sweet Lou Diablo Put a Little Love In It (According to John) New Years Eve Duty Free My Wasted Friends Crave Cash is King God Damn Shame