Xenos' Lucky Penny lacks shining songs
By Lisa Wakeland, Staff Writer
March 22, 2007 | 6:59 p.m.
On his third album, Lucky Penny, emo singer-songwriter Tony Xenos combines simple guitar melodies and personal lyrics to offer listeners a stripped-down acoustic sound that's fit for an intimate coffee shop stage.
Xenos, an Ohio University graduate who teaches high school math in Vinton County, compiled Lucky Penny from a collection of songs that survived over the years. Xenos' voice recalls bits of R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe and '70s folk singer Cat Stevens, but never echoes the exact style of either singer. Instead, his distinctive voice sings about love, friendship and frustration. The exposing lyrics make Lucky Penny seem like a confession set against an acoustic guitar.
The first song, "Snowmen and Knit Hats," is about a friend Xenos met in college. Reminiscing about sleeping on his friend's floor and road trips, he balances the lyrics with uncomplicated but pleasing guitar melodies. "Love Song Part 1" has the same musical feeling -- like something heard coming from a student on College Green -- but the lyrics appear to be directed toward a specific person.
"Fast Trains and Roller Coasters" fluctuates between soft, acoustic music and lively singing. The chorus alludes to a welcome switch in Xenos' style, but it's only a tease woven throughout the song because the chorus recedes to the familiar solo acoustic sound.
Many songs on Lucky Penny sound like background music for sipping a latte. Breaking up the increasing monotony of the first three songs is "Where The Humans Are," giving a glimpse of Xenos' harder, more rock 'n roll side. The darker song resembles "Eye" by the Smashing Pumpkins and revives interest in and restores energy to the album.
However, the hard-hitting guitar and driving drumbeat quickly fade to the timid sounding "My Attention From Me." In this song, Xenos appears to be vocalizing his inner thoughts but doesn't display enough emotion to engage the listener. The lyrics ("I should be quiet, someone might hear me, singing a song behind the closed door up here") suggest that he's hiding some of his emotion and struggling to express himself.
Retreating to the simple acoustic style that overpowers most of the album, "The Day to Day" doesn't fully to the momentum of previous songs. The guitar is more intense during the chorus and Xenos' voice holds more passion, which other songs lacked.
"A Ring to Revolve Around" is about keeping relationships strong despite differences. The lyrics suggest the song is about marriage when Xenos sings, "A ring around your finger will not make us stronger. As years see us older, friendship will keep us bound." It's a straightforward love song that could pass as a serenade below a bedroom window.
Xenos gets creative and playful with his music on "Penny Market," a refreshing break from the repetitive nature of the past six songs. The opening sounds like synthesized Irish dance music with an Eastern influence drawing attention back to the record and sparking renewed excitement for Lucky Penny. It's one of the only songs on the album that shows his range as a musician and gives hope for an energetic finish.
Gloomy guitars coupled with soft percussion give the downhearted vibe on "Thin Enough to Reach." The lyrics hint that Xenos feels trapped and alone, but he finally conveys enough emotion to engage the listener and make them care about what he's singing.
Lucky Penny could have benefited from added experimentation and a greater mix of genres. Although Xenos is a talented musician who writes smart lyrics, the songs could have been much more powerful if he harnessed the strength of "Where the Humans Are" and "Penny Market."
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Lucky Penny can be purchased from the Manasseh Records Web site at: http://www.manassehrecords.com
For more information visit Tony Xenos' Web site at: http://www.tonyxenos.com','xhtml','On his third album, Lucky Penny, emo singer-songwriter Tony Xenos combines simple guitar melodies and personal lyrics to offer listeners a stripped-down acoustic sound that's fit for an intimate coffee shop stage.