''California Sounds'' is the second solo album by Israeli singer-songwriter

Yotam Ben Horin Yotam Ben Horin ( he, יותם בן חורין; born February 17, 1979, in Haifa, Israel) is an Israeli musician best known for his work as the lead singer and bassist for Israelis, Israeli punk rock band Useless ID, as well as a solo artist re ...

, best known as frontman of Israeli punk rock band

Useless ID Useless ID ( he, יוסלס איי.די) is an Israeli punk rock band, formed in Haifa, Israel in 1994. Known as one of the most successful Middle Eastern punk bands worldwide. History Useless ID was founded in 1994 as a four-piece: Guy Carmel - ...

. The album was released on October 30, 2015, through

Hardline Entertainment Hardline Entertainment is an American independent record label, created and owned by Ken Seaton. The label started as a management company and developed into an independent record label/management company. Hardline is based in Hermosa Beach, Cali ...

, under the name Yotam. Recording and mixing of the album took place on May 5–6, 2015, during two days while Yotam was solo touring the United States, in between tours, at the Flying Blanket Studios in Phoenix, Arizona. The album was recorded and mixed by

Bob Hoag Bob Hoag is an American record producer, songwriter and musician based in Mesa, Arizona. In 2005, he was recruited to be the pianist and keyboardist for American rock band The Ataris. Career Hoag wrote songs for his group, The Go Reflex, as well a ...

of The Ataris fame and produced by Yotam himself, using only analog gear. Mastering was later done by Jason Livermore of the Blasting Room. Unlike his previous solo album that was recorded with a full band and featured an indie/ alternative rock sound, ''California Sounds'' features Yotam as the sole musician on the record, featuring only his vocals and acoustic guitar, in a raw soul-driven acoustic sound. The only other musician except Yotam featured on the album is

, who guested on keyboards on the song "Silver and Gold". The song "Tony Sly" was written about Yotam's close friend and

No Use for a Name No Use for a Name (sometimes abbreviated NUFAN or No Use) was an American punk rock band from Sunnyvale, California, United States formed in 1986 by Chris Dodge (guitar), Steve Papoutsis ( bass) and Rory Koff (drums). The band's sound evolved con ...

vocalist and guitarist

Tony Sly Anthony James Sly (November 4, 1970 – July 31, 2012) was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist, best known as the front man of the punk rock band No Use for a Name. In his later years he also gained attention for his acoustic ...

, who died in his sleep on July 31, 2012, and is dedicated to Sly every time the song is played live.

Musical style and lyrics

Music wise, the album is different from both the punk rock sound Yotam is known for in his band

and from the indie/ alternative rock sound of his previous solo album ''

Distant Lover "Distant Lover" is the sixth song issued on singer Marvin Gaye's 1973 album, ''Let's Get It On'' and the B-side of the second single from that album, " Come Get to This". A live recording was issued as a single in 1974. The live version of th ...

'', featuring folk-driven solely acoustic arrangements, influenced by other punk solo artists, such as

, Joey Cape, Frank Turner and

Mike Park Mike Park is a Korean American musician and progressive activist. His musical ventures include Skankin' Pickle for whom he both played the saxophone and sang, The Chinkees, The Bruce Lee Band, and Ogikubo Station, as well as an acoustic solo proj ...

, and other singer-songwriters such as

Elliott Smith Steven Paul Smith (August 6, 1969 – October 21, 2003), known professionally as Elliott Smith, was an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and lived much of hi ...

and

Blake Schwarzenbach Alexander Blake Schwarzenbach (born May 21, 1967) is an American musician. He is the singer and guitarist of Jawbreaker (1986–1996; 2017–present), and was also a member of Jets to Brazil (1997–2003), The Thorns of Life (2008–2009), a ...

, while Yotam calling the album being "punk in spirit", more so than his previous solo effort. Lyric wise, the album was written during Yotam's time touring as a solo artist throughout the United States, and deals with life on the road and everyday issues, such as coping with the loss of loved ones ("Tony Sly", "Grandfather"), breaking up ("Silver and Gold"), bad relationships ("Catastrophe"), unrequired love ("Platonic"), growing older without losing the drive of youth ("Young Man Bones"), juxtaposing pictures of adult life with the excitement of younger days ("Days of Living"), and clinging to home and loved ones despite a life on the road ("California Sounds").

Track listing

Personnel

– lead vocals, acoustic guitar, production *

– keyboards on "Silver and Gold" Production *

– recording, mixing *Jason Livermore – mastering

Release history

References

{{Authority control 2015 albums Yotam Ben Horin albums