Album Review: J.D. McPherson

By Aaron Davis (for JHWeekly.com)Signs & Signifiers J.D. McPherson ****When I heard the single, “North Side Girl,” on Jackson Hole Community Radio I thought for sure it was from a classic ’50s rock ‘n’ roll greaser that I could not conjure. But come to find out it is singer-songwriter/guitar slinger J.D. McPherson, who currently sits at No. 1 on the Americana Radio Chart. From the undomesticated R&B vocal style to analog recording and a Little Richard-meets-Eddie Cochran type of vibe, Signs & Signifiers is a retro album if there ever was one. While the elements within the production have been done time and time again, it’s done extremely well here. Bridge that aesthetic with hand-penned tunes from Oklahoma boy McPherson alongside a couple of classics, and the equation proves a shiny relic for a new generation. Packed with two-to three-minute tracks, it’s also ADHD-friendly, which is a good thing considering the stylistic consistency. If you’re looking for a new release to add to your vinyl collection, this may be the one.