Actuality In Process

Album Review

Actuality in Process is the first solo album from Jon Macey, one of the pioneers of the '70s Boston music scene, on the curve during, between, and right after the Modern Lovers and Orchestra Luna. It is, perhaps, the most advanced disc of his career up to its release in 2002, and though Actuality in Process still isn't the grand slam the journeyman musician is capable of, the 15 tracks certainly are a good representation of his personal songs and artistic expression. In the nine years between the release of Too Much Perspective by Macey's Parade comes an evolution of sorts. Actuality in Process is an interesting extension as well as a combination of many of the musical partnerships experienced by the singer/songwriter/producer. John Jules, the drummer from Macey's '70s outfit, Fox Pass, provides the percussion, while guitarists Michael Roy from the '70s ensemble, and Tom Hostage of the '90s group Macey's Parade, form the nucleus of the players here. Sal Baglio of the Stompers adds his guitar to "Wasted on You," while Tom Dickie from Macey's '80s band, Tom Dickie & the Desires, co-writes and is "present" on "Hidden Behind the Words," a dreamy Velvet Underground "third album" type soft electro-rocker. You get the picture that this is the Byrds-meet-the Velvet Underground, before reading the lengthy essays on www.jonmacey.com pertaining to this disc Those scribblings expose a side of Macey not quite visible inside the tunes — he's an extremely smart writer. The slick ten-page booklet emphasizes the importance of this project to the artist, and "This Is Where You've Been," a collaboration between Baglio and Macey, re-emphasizes it. Arguably the album's best track, it has elements of the Beach Boys if they made records in the new millennium with the same seriousness of "Do It Again." Though there's no "Song for T" or "Comical," from the Too Much Perspective phase (phenomenal pop songs with staying power), there are pleasant moments like "Affair of the Mind," co-written with longtime friend and co-engineer Ron Doty. It is Macey in his most Lou Reed-meets-Dylan style, and being such a devoted disciple of both icons, it is done with exquisite sincerity. "Junk Mail" and "Cool Dreamer" are also strong compositions that deserve a place on the inevitable "best-of" collection from this artist. Concluding with the solo folk ending of "The Road of Destiny," Jon Macey stretches across his career and creates a serious overview. What's missing is the tongue-in-cheek humor of his friend, Willie "Loco" Alexander. Add that element and Macey can give John Mellencamp and Billy Joel a good run for their money.