Pop Rock, Soft Rock: Curt Boettcher - There's An Innocent Face 1973 (Sundazed 2002)

A strange release from the much-loved producer and composer which sees him finding a place that mixes up varying degrees of soft rock, country-pop, and doo wop into a fine, if a bit uneven, listen. The best track on the album is "I Love You More Each Day," with its folk strumming and '70s melodic pop approach.

Unsurprisingly, this song is one of the three tracks Boettcher is listed as actually having written on the album. To be sure, there is no shortage of the multi-layered harmonies Boettcher is renowned for. The strongest aspects of the record involve his distinctly sweet vocal approach and the thick harmonies.

Other tracks, like "Such a Lady," focus on mid-tempo country-rock. Another track manages to briefly segue into Frankie Lymon's "Why Do Fools Fall in Love." Gary Usher is given an executive producer credit on the album and the musicianship is top-notch due to key studio players like Red Rhodes helping out.

The adherence to country-rock and early-'70s AOR-type ballads might scare away some fans who know him mostly for his light psychedelia, but certainly for the diligent there are some fine songs to be found on this release. (John Pruett, allmusic.com)

The album has a great start with 'I Love You Much More Each Day' with fine vocal harmonies and a wonderful melody. 'Such A Lady' is a pop country song as it was common in the seventies. Very well realized. A lot of acoustic guitars are used on the album, which is very good for the songs. But it can also be rocked, like on 'Bobby California'. That you couldn't expect the psychedelic pop sound of the sixties from Boettcher in 1973 is obvious. I would like to mention the song 'Malachi Star', which is one of the best songs on the album. Also very strong is the ballad 'Lay Down'. The album is absolutely recommendable. Enjoy.(Frank)

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