Ian M Bailey - Songs To Dream Along To (2021)

Lush, melodic harmonies with roots in 1960s California.

Ian M Bailey’s 12 string Rickenbacker, rich melodies and harmonies will take you straight back to The Byrds and CSN. If these are his most definitive influences on an album that sparkles and warms, Bailey has also clearly absorbed The Association’s lighter pop harmonies and the elegant vocals of America. REM and The Jayhawks pop up but what Bailey does to perfection is to blend these various streams into a contemporary sound that radiates pure joy and abandon.

The new album from Ian M. Bailey takes some getting used to. Appropriately named Songs To Dream Along To, the Byrdsian guitars and harmonies are almost hypnotic. And like all good records, with each listen one hears new, interesting nuances. In total, this makes for an entertaining listening experience – an album you want to hear again and again.

Front start to finish, the melodies stand out as much as the guitar work. The Byrds vibe starts from the get-go with the delightful “This Is Not a Feeling”. “The Sound of Her Voice” could stand up favorably to any of the soft rock hits of the 70’s. The strings are lovely and the psychedelic flourish at the end is a neat surprise.

If you’re looking for more of a rocker, there’s “I’m Not The Enemy”. It’s a bit more up tempo and has an REM like jangle to it that’s irresistible. My favorite track may be “Just Like a Child (Dreamcatcher)”. With the lead vocal brought forward, it rests on a jangly guitar motif that works perfectly for me.

All of the songs on the LP were co-written by Ian Bailey and former Cosmic Roughrider Daniel Wylie. The melodies and arrangements stand out as extraordinary.