T Severe featuring Felicity Heron - Candy

T Severe featuring Felicity Heron

Candy
self-released; 2022

​3.8 out of 5 

By J. J. Thayer

Tony (“T”) Severe hails from Phoenix, Arizona, and has long experience in bands and as a film-score composer. He brings his guitar, keyboard and composition skills to Candy, a nine-track album that leans toward the indie-rock style. The album features contributions from vocalist Felicity Heron, who has worked with Severe on several of his films. In addition, former bandmates John Wroble (bass) and Frank Danna (guitar) performed on the sessions. John Herrera contributed drums.

All of the songs fall squarely into the rock category. They lean toward the minor keys, and tend to be driven by rhythmic acoustic guitar figures, like an old Doobie Brothers record. Keyboards are layered throughout, offering nice textures to support the songs. Tones are consistent from track to track, offering nice continuity. Severe’s film-score background comes through with Candy: he has a concept, and it comes through.

The leadoff title track draws us right in with a fast rhythmic acoustic guitar, thumping rhythm and great diving Moog-like bass lines. Heron’s vocals are terrific. Her smoky alto entices you to try the candy, although she hints at the danger lurking underneath. Severe’s jazz background comes through in the phrasing of his minor-blues guitar solo. It’s a great start.

Within his conceptual framework, Severe takes a few enjoyable detours over the course of the album. “Not Waiting Around” features a bluesy guitar solo–doubled in parts–that evokes 1970s arena rock. The modal guitar solo on “I Don’t Want To Be That One” was refreshing. Heron’s vocals on “Angels Crying” are unique glissando swoops. The Moog-like bass appears in a few spots (notably on the ballad “The Touching Sound of Rain”), offering some fun variation. There’s just enough here to keep things interesting, while not veering off the path.

One of the features of Candy is its interlocking lead lines on a few tracks. Both with guitars (e.g. “Candy”) and synths (“Don’t Say It Was Only Love”), Severe has recorded two independent solos, intertwined and panned off-center. Either one would stand on its own; together, they pop. It’s a nice bit of composition and performance.

​Candy is well-conceived and well-executed. T Severe brings his wide experience to bear, and delivers an easy-to-spin, enjoyable rock record.

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