"Chapter one. He adored New York City. He idolized it all out of proportion. Uh...no. Make that, he romanticized it all out of proportion. Better." --Manhattan. Woody Allen's take on modern relationships in an idealized, black and white Manhattan would serve well as a backdrop to the songs of Rick Henrickson and his debut solo album "Reaching For a Gun". Recently declared "The future of rock 'n' roll" on the Fox News Channel, Henrickson was raised in NYC during the era when MTV and radio were lush and remarkably generous to all genres of music. He absorbed everything he'd heard and seen, and soon developed his own style on the streets of Manhattan, studiously whittling down an unending list of artists to those who simply demanded and thus deserved his attention: Elvis Costello, Aimee Mann, Frank Black, Jason Falkner, and those ever-present Liverpudlians. Once guitar was in hand, Henrickson started a band. "Fender Jazzmaster...that was it! It's sloppy and unusual, but full of odd, interesting harmonics and really humorous. Dark humor." Playing the East Coast college and club circuits, critical acclaim began to pour in as well as (not usually very profitable) offers from various independent labels. After multiple appearances at CMJ and on international TV, Henrickson was signed as a solo artist with Engine Company Records back in New York. Several of New York's finest musicians were called in for "Reaching For a Gun," including Mike Errico, who was also in session recording his own album on the Engine Company label. His vocal/guitar contribution to Henrickson's "Two Hats" makes for one of the most intimate songs on the album. Subsequently, the interest of Fox Magazine producer/reporter Mike Straka was piqued, and before long a feature about Henrickson and his album reached millions of viewers across the country, prompting courtship from other TV producers, magazine editors, and licensing agencies from both coasts. New primary concern: "Jetlag." "Unapologetic" is how Henrickson describes the albums sharp-tongued wit and depth. "We didn't cover it with shmaltz...this is a completely honest record." And it is. This is a guitar driven, explosive collection of songs loaded with striking lyrics, brilliant hooks and an undeniable authenticity rarely captured on a debut record. Produced by Blake Morgan (Lenny Kravitz, Mike Errico) and mastered by Phil "Butcher Bros." Nicolo (The Police, Urge Overkill, The Rolling Stones), "Reaching For A Gun" demands and thus deserves our attention...and so does its creator.
