Common Senses

In the late '90s and early '00s, Philadelphia was enjoying a lot of praise for its urban contemporary and rap scenes. People all over the United States were associating the East Coast city with the likes of Jill Scott, Pink, the Roots, Beanie Sigel, Eve, and the folks at Ruffhouse Records (just as Philly was known for the Stylistics, Blue Magic, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and Philadelphia International Records back in the '70s). But what about rock? Nationally, the city's rock scene wasn't enjoying the sort of hype that its urban and rap scenes were, but that didn't prevent local rockers from plugging away. One of the companies that has done its part to document Philly's rock scene is Record Cellar, a small label based in suburban Bala Cynwyd, PA. Record Cellar showed good judgment when, in 2002, it released this solo album by former Electric Love Muffin and Rolling Hayseeds singer Richard Kaufmann. Common Senses is a solid pop/rock outing, but it isn't an album that gets in your face. On Common Senses, Kaufmann's earthy, tuneful material tends to have an unassuming quality; he almost comes across as a more reserved Tom Petty on "She Hurt It Here First," "Greenlaw Neck," and "Shooting Stars & a Full Moon." And the Philadelphian is equally unassuming when he detours into blue-eyed soul territory on the moody "Shiver" and "The All Fools Dance," which isn't unlike something Boz Scaggs would have recorded in the '70s. By CD standards, Common Senses is skimpy; it clocks in at a mere 35 minutes. But while quantity isn't a priority, quality is -- and Common Senses makes one glad to see Kaufmann recording as a solo artist. ~ Alex Henderson