Harvey McLaughlin - Tabloid News (2018)

Tabloid News is the debut solo album by San Antonio born and based singer and songwriter Harvey McLaughlin. The album represents something of a throwback to the 1970's piano based long players by the likes of greats such as Warren Zevon, Randy Newman and Tom Waits with nods to New Orleans R&B and Chicano Soul while maintaining the urgency of the young roots rock bands that Harvey has honed his craft and musicianship with over the last dozen. He only half-jokingly admits ""I want to play the piano the way Link Wray plays the guitar."" Thematically the album draws on thirty year old McLaughlin's fascination with pulp magazines and urban legends as seen through the eyes of a young but weary romantic. The collection of thirteen original songs is simultaneously poetic and musically engaging but lacking the saccharine precociousness of many of his contemporaries. The LP is pressed on 140 gram black vinyl and has a tabloid newsprint insert.