I was going to describe Bingo as a Ben Harper/ Jack Johnson kind of fellow with a country twang.
The Cicada and Other Stories
Bingo
Others say he's "American Folk mixed with Eastern India blood." Personally, that sounds lame to me so I'm just going to stick with my "laidback guy rocking without all the fancy electronic mumbo jumbo" stereotype.
Bingo's new album is exploding with exotic instruments that come together to form a unique style Bingo (Kevin Richey) can call his own.
Not too often can you hear sitar, organ and harmonica on the same album. And not too often will a girl with blue hair like it - but the day has come.
While the album isn't too fast-paced (in fact, some songs reach the 11-minute marker and seem to never end), it's definitely music to chill out to. And shit, if you listen to Bingo, you even can claim that you're cultured because you're listening to folk music. I know I feel like a better person because of it.
Bingo's music is just solid hardcore ... just music. No additives or electronic crazy stuff is going on. Just a man and his guitar ... and his harmonica ... and his sitar ... and his piano - and, well, the list goes on and on.
A few instrumental cameos by other artists complete the album and round it out, making it - in my opinion - one rad CD. Whether you're a country fan, a folk junky or a Ben Harper freak looking to expand your CD collection, Bingo definitely is worth giving a shot.
The exotic instruments and Richey's mellow, soothing, Johnny Cash-country meets Jack Johnson-surfer-boy voice, complement each other perfectly and make for one killer album that clocks in at nearly an hour long.
Am I alone in thinking that screaming into a microphone at obscene levels doesn't constitute music?
Reach the reporter at erika.wurst@asu.edu.
