ORDINARY TIMES

TODD HANNIGAN and the Heavy 29’s
Courtside for the Apocalypse, Volume 2
Brotheryn

Rocker Todd Hannigan has played with Jackson Browne, Ben Harper, and Jack Johnson. For the past few years he’s fronted his own band, but maybe that’s not the best thing. As an instrumentalist the Ventura-based Hannigan first made his mark playing surf guitar. That talent is showcased on his new CD’s opening track. The instrumentals are the best thing about the CD; in fact, they’re almost a sampler of pop guitar—some acid rock, a bit of countrified rock, some post-punk grunginess, a dash of folk rock, even some quiet acoustic such as “Thicker than Water.” Hannigan is also a decent songwriter, if you can make out what he’s singing. His Website compares his voice to Nick Drake, Elliott Smith, and Cat Stevens. As if. Let’s be honest about it; Hannigan’s voice is a level or two below flat-out ordinary. He lacks range, expressiveness, and force. What’s left is a soothing midrange, but rendered in a languid manner that washes over us rather than grabbing our attention. Maybe surf music and the sideman’s life fits Hannigan better.--LV