David + David - Boomtown (1986)

David + David was an American rock duo composed of Los Angeles-based studio musicians David Baerwald and David Ricketts. They are best known for their debut single “Welcome to the Boomtown” from the album “Boomtown”.
David + David’s “Boomtown” is a hard look at urban life in the 1980s, a time when many were fulfilling the American Dream of financial success and upward mobility. It is not an easy album to listen to, as the characters depicted in the songs are often dealing with major problems such as drugs and domestic violence. But it is an artful record, full of poetry and convincing stories of the hard times that many silently endured. At times the record is full of pop hooks, and at other stages a more bleak sound dominates. The vocals of David + David are also effective in telling the tales, as often there is a shrill, despondent quality that complements what is being related to the listener. In particular, the drums have kind of a hushed sound to them, and the guitars often purvey sounds of doom through distortion or other means. “Welcome to the Boomtown” is the hit off the album, and is one of various cuts that convincingly detail the many trials of the characters such as Kevin, who “deals dope out of Denny’s keeps a table in the back.” Although there are often hints of hope and seemingly a sense of compassion toward the subjects in the songs, it is not apparent that most will eventually pull themselves out of their predicaments. One may not want to listen to this record to lift the spirit, but it is a strong reminder of difficult situations faced during what can be perceived by many as the best of times
David & David disbanded shortly after “Boomtown”, and Baerwald and Ricketts continued to work with other musicians. They both collaborated with Sheryl Crow on her debut LP, “Tuesday Night Music Club”.

Track listing

01.  “Welcome to the Boomtown”  - 5:31
02.  “Swallowed by the Cracks”  - 4:16
03.  “Ain’t So Easy”  - 4:51
04.  “Being Alone Together”  - 5:31
05.  “A Rock for the Forgotten”  - 4:26
06.  “River’s Gonna Rise”  - 4:29
07.  “Swimming in the Ocean”  - 4:00
08.  “All Alone in the Big City”  - 4:42
09.  “Heroes”  - 3:10

Credits
David + David – vocals, guitar, bass guitar, mandolin, dobro, piano, drums, keyboards, harmonica, lap steel guitar
Toni Childs – additional vocals
Noland Void – additional vocals
Camille Henry – additional vocals
Judy Clapp – assistant engineering
Paulinho da Costa – percussion
Ed Greene – drums
Bernie Grundman – mastering
John Beverly Jones – engineering, mixing, recording
Melanie Nissen – photography, design, art direction
John Philip Shenale – programming
Davitt Sigerson – production
Chuck Beeson – art direction

Notes
All songs written by David Baerwald and David Ricketts. “Heroes” Written by David Baerwald
Recorded 1986 at Skyline, A&M, Mad Hatter and Capitol Studios.
Genre: Pop rock
Length: 40:56

© 1986 A&M Records