Moving to the independent Rykodisc after spending two years on the majors doesn't hurt
Jeffrey Gaines in the slightest -- if anything he sounds liberated.
Galore still has hints of the commercial sheen that distinguished
Somewhat Slightly Dazed from his debut, but that isn't a bad thing. His supporting band -- featuring
Bowie guitarist
Reeves Gabrels plus two of his colleagues, as well as keyboardist
David Sancious, who played with
Sting and
Springsteen -- is damn near flawless whether they're turning out rousing pop or ballads.
Gaines remains slightly more impressive when he strips everything down to his acoustics, as on "Toast and Tea," but even full-fledged pop-rockers like "Belle de Jour" are punchy, catchy and well-crafted.
Gaines remains in a netherworld between a cult singer/songwriter and mainstream pop-rocker, but for listeners willing to meet him there,
Galore is one entertaining listen. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine