Mike McGill

Enjoy the Journey

by Mike Alvarez of the San Diego Troubadour

            The title of Mike McGill’s album, Enjoy the Journey, undoubtedly refers to the path each one of us takes through life. The lyrics have a ring of autobiographical truth, offering up vignettes of everyday existence in modern-day Southern California. The bouncy, happy tenor of this album is well-suited to the subjects McGill writes about, which range from an evening in front of the TV to the emotions of fatherhood. These mostly uptempo tunes are delivered with a very back-to-basics approach to songwriting and arranging, driven primarily by the acoustic guitar and McGill’s vocals. He is backed by a rhythm section that does a great job of supporting the songs, never overplaying or eclipsing the artist’s intent.

            Opening with “Southern California,” a sunny tune with a tropical feel not unlike Jimmy Buffet’s “Margaritaville,” McGill expresses his joy at moving out West, even over the objections of his East Coast family and friends. Occasional references to San Diego give this song a certain local charm. “Watching ESPN” is a jaunty celebration of temporary bachelorhood (“The wife is out and the kids are gone. It’s not that often I get time alone.”) as our hero breaks out the snacks and the remote control. The real appeal of this song lies in how easily many listeners can relate to the lyrics. Its message is simple: a guy just needs to channel surf to be happy. McGill continues to share his story on “He Just Plays for Love,” detailing his love for music and his reasons for making it. Although it is written in a minor key, he still manages to inject the song with the kind of ebullient energy that is a hallmark of his style.

            Things take a somber turn on “Where’s the Love?” as he makes a social statement, lamenting the state of humanity. Some electric guitar licks and rhythms bubble beneath the surface, giving this song a different texture from those that preceded it. Melancholy is the mood that defines the ballad “You and Me” while a wistful joy suffuses “My Sweet Simone,” an ode to a daughter. The mood brightens with “Little Miss Sunshine,” a sprightly number that takes its inspiration from early British Invasion groups like the Kinks. “Emo Escondido” keeps the energy flowing with its driving beat and electric riffing. The rest of the album leans more toward his acoustic folky side. “Friday” has a real Loggins and Messina feel, bringing to mind their hit “Danny’s Song.” “Our Remember When” continues very much in this vein as does the quiet album closer “So Long.”

            McGill’s songs are easygoing and optimistic. His sentiments as well as his music are straightforward. The one exception to this is “Once A Rising Star,” but it still manages to avoid being too much of a downer. The music is pretty easy on the ears, perhaps leaving one hungering for something a little more challenging at times, but in the end it all works out just fine. At times he stretches to make the lyrics rhyme, but it’s all done in good fun. And really – who can complain about that?

Hello all my Myspace faithful! You can now find me on ReverbNation where I'll post some different tunes for you to listen to. Become a fan! Add me to your page! Have fun! Cheers! Mike