Tin Ear - SYMPHONY IN 3 MOVEMENTS : Very interesting (symphonic) keyboard work by Allan Loucks (with percussion furnished by Robert Geddes) on this CD (we reviewed an earlier work, "Name That Mood", in issue # 32). We apologize to Allan for having taken so long to get to the review on this one (buried under a stack, you know?). At any rate, there are some amazing displays of compositional/orchestral skill in the 3 movements. I was especially impressed with his string work, though the sections that feature horn sounds are nearly as gigantic! It is cut 3 (the 3rd movement, naturally) where Allan pulls out all the symphonic tricks in the book... gentle builds, flights of fancy & full fledged string attacks... a great adventure for the listener. While this can't be "classified" as improvisation, the compositional skills he shows have much to do with good improv... this gets a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from us, especially for those who want to hear how great a symphony CAN sound!

Rotcod Zzaj

Name That Mood is a CD of material recorded by David Loucks, the popular Seattle studio owner who was tragically murdered in 1995. This set collects 22 short numbers by the combo of Tin Ear, consisting of Loucks, his brother Allan and Robert Geddes on percussion. Though Loucks' studio productions included such diverse projects as industrial rock and hip-hop, this CD is of a decidedly more toned-down musical direction, reflecting Loucks' traditional classical training. Most of these numbers were meant to accompany film or video. At times there are some ambient influences, but some of the tunes could come straight from the Seattle Symphony logbook. The CD ends with the "Wasserspieler Suite," performed by Allan Loucks in tribute to his slain brother. It is surprisingly not a funeral march and instead suggests the triumph of a life lived. Still, it's hard to listen to any of the music here without being reminded of the senseless loss of Loucks, murdered for a few dollars worth of studio gear.

(c) 1997 Charles R. Cross

The band selected for our very first Local Artist Connection Music Review is Tin Ear with their self titled album. The four man band has produced two albums and have enough material for at least two more. Tin Ear worked on this album for quite a while, with material dating back to 1998. As far as the sound goes on this album, I was very impressed! Their melodic, alternative style was easy to listen to and with their high quality recording it was easy to hear how well the vocals blended with the music and how well the instruments blended with each other. There was a perfect balance of each instrument, the drums didn't overpower nor were they too quiet. The same goes for the guitars and keyboard. Their crisp, clear vocals were easy to understand and Tin Ear had good lyrical content with no profanity. On a scale of 1 to 10, with ten being the highest point, I rate this album an 8.

TIN EAR - NAME THAT MOOD - CD:

This CD features the music of David Loucks. It starts off with "Brass Overture". The patches are so real sounding - you'd never know they were done on a keyboard. This is amazing stuff. I was fortunate to work with Dave a couple of years ago. His musical mind was constructive. Hearing harmonies & parts I couldn't comprehend. As an engineer he was patient & soft spoken but driven to get the best from a band that was possible. I knew he had a background with film scoring - this blows my mind.. It's moody, compelling & seductive. Inside the body of an ordinary, "wacky" guy lurked the mind of a musical marvel. "Flower In The Rapids" is a beautifully performed classical piano piece. Several other beautifully written & performed piano pieces follow (they're my favorites). Brother Allan takes on from tracks 22 - 26 with his "Wasserspieler Suite" written to David. Allan employs complex harmonies, changes & dynamics. The harpsichord "Wasserspieler Invention" is clean, Bach like & immaculately done. "Wasserspieler Electronic" is ambient & moody. "Phaethon" is an excellent surprise. I'd call it classical jazz - this is pure genius! David has passed on, Allan Loucks & TIN EAR give us a chance to remember a man who touched so many of our lives, giving us some more insight to the complexity of a man & his music & introduces us to another man who holds his own.
(mcp)

It is, perhaps, one of the final chapters in the tragic story of David Loucks. A Seattle-area studio owner, musician, and producer, Loucks was in his home studio the night of March 7, 1995 when he was robbed and beaten to death.

The tape in the reels that night was Tin Ear, a group consisting of Loucks, his brother Allan Loucks, Jr., and Robert Geddes. Now, more than 18 months after the murder, the music of David Loucks is available on CD. The self-released disc features 14 songs, and according to Allan Loucks, just a small measure of David's talent.

"I think he was a genius," Loucks said. "I always envied his talent. He was great at orchestrating and composing. He was extremely versatile. His songwriting was great, and that's the best way to remember him."

For the Loucks family and everyone David's life touched, those memories are poignant. While the CD is a touching legacy for an accomplished musician, it is also a painful reminder of a life cut short. "When I listen to the disc, the first thing that comes to mind is Dave," Allan Loucks said. "It's kind of hard to hear his voice sometimes because it's like I'm sitting in front of him. We worked as a team. We didn't even have to talk about a lot of the stuff. It just was understood. It's bittersweet, but working on his stuff helps. If I didn't have that, I'd probably freak out. It helps me deal with what happened."

For David's father, Allan Loucks, Sr., the emotions and memories are still too strong. For his part, Loucks does admire his son for bringing the music of David Loucks to the world. "He wants to preserve it, whether anyone likes it or not. It's just tragic that this creative genius was taken. He cared about people and he tried to express that in his songs. His creativity was just arriving."

(Tin Ear's self-titled CD will be available at Tower Records in Seattle.)

(c) 1996 S. Duda

David Loucks was a husband and gifted musician with a promising future, a future cut short by a baffling murder that has stumped investigators. But now, more than a year after David Loucks was killed, a new album is out, that showcases his impressive talents, while reviving memories of his mysterious death.

As far back as anyone can remember, David Loucks was into music. He played keyboards and bass, and with his brother Allan, was in a number of Seattle bands. David was also a composer, and while studying music at Seattle University, met the woman who was to become his wife.

To pay the bills, David opened a recording studio on Aurora Avenue. At the same time, he and his brother began pursuing a lifelong dream. By March of 1995, the project was nearing completion. The songs had all been recorded. All that was left was some mixing. David was thrilled.

But on the night of March 7th, something went terribly wrong. David's appointment book showed that he had a 7pm meeting with someone named "Paul". David never came home. The next morning his body, beaten and bound, was found in the studio. He had been suffocated by the duct tape that covered his nose and mouth. Several thousand dollars worth of recording gear was taken from the studio. To date, none of it has surfaced. Police speculate the crime may be connected to a string of recording equipment thefts that have plagued western Washington since 1994.

Deeply grieved by his brother's death, Allan Loucks resolved that the crime that claimed David's life would not also extinguish his dream. So Allan returned to the studio to finish work on the album, a process that at times proved wrenching. But Allan persevered, and finally "Tin Ear" was released. [...] The killing of David Loucks remains unsolved. But his family is taking comfort that his music didn't die with him.

Allan and David Loucks were two brothers born with unique musical talents. Separated in age by only one year, the brothers remained close by practicing and performing music as a daily ritual. Constantly engaged in friendly competitions, the brothers were challenged and encouraged one other to perform their best potential. Their dream was to build a recording studio and create an album which expressed their thoughts and views on society.

With the completion of the recording studio named Alternative Productions, Allan and David's dream became a reality. Working along side drummer Robert Geddes, the trio began producing their first album, self-titled Tin Ear. Allan remembers the day they created the title. "We were all just sitting around joking and throwing titles back and forth," he said. "Rob shouted out Tin Ear, as a joke that we were all tone deaf or something and for some strange reason, we all thought the title fit. Honestly, Tin Ear doesn't have any symbolic significance at all. We were all just fooling around, having a good time."

As the Tin Ear trio relentlessly worked long days and nights, the album reached closer and closer to its completion. Amidst all the hard work, dedication, and joking around, though, the trio never imagined how the night of March 7, 1995 would change their lives forever. Working alone in the studio late one night, David was brutally beaten and murdered by a gang of thieves. As friends and family consoled each other, Allan couldn't believe why such an incredibly talented and creative person was suddenly taken from the world.

"He was so capable and had everything going for him," Allan said. "It just doesn't seem possible that he is gone forever." After the funeral, heartbroken, depressed, and confused, Allan turned off the lights at Alternative Productions and walked away, expecting never to return to the memories which were now so hard to carry.

Inspired by his brother's devotion and perseverance, though, Allan decided to break the studio's silence and finish the dream he and his brother had created. Allan's desire was to share his brother's personality and thoughts with the entire world. "My brother was always a real mellow fellow and had the ability to get along with anyone," Allan said. "He was a real diplomat. However, when he left the outside world and entered the studio, his more thoughtful side emerged. The studio gave him an outlet where he could express his own thoughts about the relationship with his wife, and how people dealt with their lives everyday. Here, he could relay his philosophy about life completely free and uninhibited from any outside influence."

Organizing a memorial/benefit concert in David's honor at the Crocodile Cafe on Sept. 15, 1995, the Loucks family was able to raise more than $1000. The money helped pay for the production of Tin Ear. Now, 18 months after David's tragic death, the Tin Ear album is completed and available in neighborhood music stores.

Allan Loucks hopes the album will touch a spot in every listener's heart. "I've preserved a piece of my brother's life and I want to share it with the entire world," Allan emphasized. "David had a lot of views on life and hopefully each listener will be affected by his words in different ways." Yet, Allan admits it is still very difficult for him to listen to his brother's voice.

"At times, while I'm in the studio listening to David sing, I feel as if Dave is right there, standing right in front of me, singing into my ear," he said. "I usually freak out and always need someone there to lend support."

After Tin Ear, Allan plans to produce three more albums which will include some of David's earlier work with symphonies. Allan's only concern, though, is whether or not Tin Ear truly reflects the way David would have completed it. "How can I be sure that Dave would have this song or that song to sound one way or the other?" he said. "Dave, I just couldn't let your words remain silent. I've given our album my best."

Perhaps one way to reassure Allan of his concern is to simply listen to the lyrics his brother wrote in the song Don't Wait For Me.

And so I wait, and watch each day go pass me by,
No hesitation, no time to stop and wonder why.
I stand my ground, and drink the cup I choose to take,
And in my heart I know that this is no mistake.

Listening to these words, I have no doubt the memory of David Loucks and his life will forever last and be heard in his brother Allan's Tin Ear.

You can check out TIN EAR's Website at: "http://www.halcyon.com/aloucks/tinear.htm".

Tin Ear will be available at Tower Records on Lower Queen Anne.

Freelance writer Richard Canaday is a Ravenna resident.

TIN EAR - CD:

I thought I would have a hard time reviewing this CD. It's the production of brothers Allan & the late David Loucks. David if you remember, was brutally murdered in his studio a little over a year ago. I wasn't sure if I had bitten off more than I could chew in reviewing this work. Allan finished the tracks after David's death. I can't tell where one left off and the other took over. "In Between Dreams" is an excellent choice to start this disc. The music is rhythmic and I can hear Beatles & Rush influences scattered throughout. "Morning Star" is my favorite track, it's a nice simple tune. From here to the end of the CD, the music kicks into high gear. It ends with "Don't Wait For Me". This song really touched me. It's beautifully performed and in my listening context very sad. However, the entire TIN EAR is a celebration of love, life & music.

Tin Ear carries forward the musical legacy of David Loucks, a gifted musician, composer, and recording engineer who was brutally murdered in his Seattle studio in March 1995. As a composer, David's output ranged from solo piano compositions and chamber works to orchestral pieces, soundtracks, and rock songs. Several of his more adventurous works are collected on the posthumously released Tin Ear CD "Name That Mood." For this concert, David's brother Allan Loucks (keyboards) and former bandmate Robert Geddes (electronic percussion) will be joined by bassist Spencer Hoveskeland and vocalist Brian Ledford in a program of David's compositions influenced by contemporary classical music.

Tin Ear: NAME THAT MOOD - An astounding orchestral adventure that deserves a slot in the festival without DOUBT! Some had mentioned that they thought some "chamber experimental" would be a stark contrast to other forms of experimental music we present... well, THIS one is the TICKET! Allan Loucks and his (sadly departed) brother David (who was murdered in his studio in 1995) (synths, toy pianos, guitars & a host of other instrumentation) are joined by Robert Geddes (percussion) in a "space opera" mode that stands OUT from the rest. All others are imitations! This is some POWER-filled music that will have you questioning your MOTHER'S moods. This is recommended for the festival in the STRONGEST terms possible - gets a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Rotcod Zzaj