GODS & GHOSTS by Tom MacLear Review by Roxanne Rubell Independent Rock Critic Tom MacLear’s newest release, Gods & Ghosts is like sonic salve for the soul. With its country/rock/folk-influenced sound, listening to this record puts you in a good place while also cajoling contemplation and questioning about life and the world we live in. Given that MacLear has spent the last 30 years writing, recording and touring with some of the best in the business, it’s no surprise that his mastery of the slide, bottleneck slide and lap steel guitar is richly showcased here as is his ability to finely craft and curate lyrics. The title track “Gods & Ghosts” is a showdown at MacLear’s corral where he takes a swing at the music business and its lack of regard for true talent at the hands of “self-appointed gods who take what once was free and sell us back our freedom like it was theirs to give or keep.” On “County Prison Blues,” a twangy slide guitar begs you to get up and dance while the rebel rousing lyrics in “Purple Sky” put you right in the driver’s seat of a “…’48 Packard borrowed from my ex old lady’s wife.” MacLear surprises with a unique interpretation of Bobby Darin’s “The Simple Song of Freedom” which includes a steel string guitar intro, a chorus of backup singers and intermittent use of the pedal steel. “Dreams of Her” captures the longing and loneliness that serve as replacement bedfellows when a lover is gone. The single off the album is “That Wonderful Love” and is MacLear’s ode to finding hope in the world during these tumultuous times. With its upbeat and introspective alt-country vibe you’ll be glad you took the time to listen to Gods & Ghosts and will rejoice that you discovered the music of Tom MacLear. _______________________________________________________________ TOM MACLEAR BIOGRAPHY • MEG Records/Nashville The award-winning career of Singer-Songwriter-Producer Tom MacLear has finally found flight after a 30-year career of back room corporate world deals of Ghost Writing for some of the biggest names in the industry. With his steady flow of hit radio releases since 2010, he has topped numerous charts and radio playlists in Country, HOT/AC and Alternative genres alike_ making him a bight new commodity in this world of the stale cookie-cutter music packages of late. Tom MacLear, often referred to as "the man behind the curtain, one of music's best kept secrets," is now emerging more toward the center of the stage as the driving force of 'Tom MacLear & Friends.' An evergreen concept for his band that allows MacLear to perform and make music with some of the best musicians in the business. "This concept and structure, while not new. fits perfectly into where I am now." 'Tom MacLear & Friends' provides the platform to sustain the band in perpetuity," MacLear says. Drawing upon his innate talents and the depth and breadth of his storied career on stages and in studios in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville and London, Tom MacLear is now at the height of his creative powers. Witness, via Nashville, MacLear's recent 'Favorite AC/Top 40 Male Artist' and 'Best New Country Band' awards via National Music Tabloids and ASCAP, clearly show that Tom MacLear's career has found a new beginning. Half was spent as a ghostwriter, now his time as a marquee artist under his own name, has come. From 2013 - 2015 'The Hollywood Music in Media Awards' (among others) honored MacLear with nominations and awards for 'Best In Country' for the Nationally Radio releases of: 'Sweet Summer Days' 'All That You Dream" "Someday" and "Unapproachable" all which found two #1 slots and six Top 10 rankings in Country and AC/Top 40 Radio Network reports. Last summer's single release 'Unapproachable' was Tom's first vocal solo performance in almost a decade, which achieved the most honors from 'America's Top 100 FMQB/Nielsen Tabulated Rankings' placing #45 in the most important singles in the U.S. for 2015.