• Band / Artist : Tom Geiger – mySpace
• Genre : Electronica / Pop
• Sample Track Download : N/A
• Buy CD : TBA
• Buy Digital Download : iTunes
• Rating : 9.5 out of 10

In starting Indie Launchpad, I’ve not only gained access to an unbelievable vein of music, but I’ve also had the opportunity to work with some amazing artists. There are a few artists however, that go that extra step and let me know when they have news. Tom Geiger, is one of those artists. I first discovered him on MySpace, I think it was, at the end of 2005 or early 2006. The song that struck me like a bolt of lightening, was the appropriately named, “Thank God We Got Good Friends”. Over the years, there’s been a track here and there, but just before Christmas Tom sent me, his proposed new album. Originally 8 tracks, but now 9, I can’t convey the excitement I felt in putting on the album for the first time. Before continuing, I do need to clear up something that may be a little confusing. Although the album is called “Thank God We Got Good Friends”, on iTunes, it still appears as “Vicious Times”, in it’s original 8 track incarnation. This is because of a few factors, including the big digital distribution wheels turn slowly, so Tom left it on iTunes as is. It is also available on SnoCap, by it’s intended title and also the full 9 tracks. Also the final intended running order various slightly, with the addition of the extra track, so I’ve gone through the album in the order Tom intended the final album to be.

The album opens with “Empty Girl”, with that wonderful sound that has become a hallmark of all Tom’s tracks. It’s a very ethereal, electonica sound, fused with Tom’s great laid back vocals. In the past I’ve compared Toms vocals to sandpaper, the highest grade mind you. Tom’s voice has that real life quality to it, rather than some faux manufactured pop sound and it’s one that really contrasts his music nicely. There’s just something that really gets under my skin with Tom’s music, and I mean that in the most sincerest of ways. “Can One Day Change Your Life”, has a more upbeat, contemporary sound, but there’s no mistaking those vocals. “Vicious Times” is one of the tracks previously featured on the EP of the same name. It’s funny, I hadn’t listened to this track in a while, but it still managed to come across as fresh and new.

OK, so we get to a track that many listeners of the Indie Launchpad podcast are no strangers to, being the one track that has probably featured more than any other song, and also the title track of the album, “Thank God We Got Good Friends”. This to me, is probably one of my favorite tracks of all time and I mean indie or otherwise. There’s just that perfect blend of pop, delicately balanced with melancholy. I’ve heard numerous version of this track and loved them all.

“Queen of C-Bus” is a slight odditiy on this album, in that it’s more pop than electronica. The very thought of that would have probably jaded my thoughts, if I’d have know that before hand, but it’s hard not to be won over, by such a great and fun track. “Wrong Way” is the third track, along with “Thank God We Got Good Friends” that featured on the Vicious times EP. I remember sitting on the fence with this track, which maybe was valid on a 3 track EP, here however it slots in nicely and really feels like a part of the album, rather than an odd cousin. “Peace & Love” is a track that reminds me of another electronica artist, I Am Jen. It has that really similar vibe to it, but both artists manage to take there music in two distinctly different directions.

“Some Days are Better Than Others” is a track that only appears at present on SnoCap, but Tom does intend on it being present on the final physical disc pressing. It’s another of those great fusions of electronica and upbeat pop. It’s hard not to come across as a fanboy, but when I like something I like it full tilt and Tom has never so far given me a cause for concern. The album closes with an extended mix of “Can One Day Change Your Life” by John Creamer & Stephan K, which is one of those tracks I would have bought on 12 inch vinyl back in the day. It’s just over 8 and a half minutes and terrific stuff.

Conclusion : An absolutely wonderful collection of great music, from an artist who appears to not want to compromise. It’s true, that over the course of 2 plus years, music has trickled slowly down the chain, but what has appeared has always been stellar. It would be remiss of me not to mention Lance Jordan, with whom Tom has collaborated extensively, with writing, production and at times instrumentally. With the first album hump over with, I’m looking forward to what the future may bring. One of Tom’s tracks has already been featured on the ABC TV show, Eli Stone and I’m sure there will be many more to come.