In 1976, ‘Hard Candy’ beamed a light that shone for a moment and then slipped into the stream of the California sun. Alongside the record and its maker were industry heavyweights like Eagles, Steely Dan, and countless others. Doheny was connected to them all in some way, the way wealthy insiders tend to be. There’s an orchestrated astuteness to his music that brings to mind expensive LA studios and expert session musicians. The vocal performances are well-behaved, hitting the middle of the note and staying rhythmically curious; a soft charm in Doheny’s voice drives ‘Hard Candy’’s leisurely timbre like a hushed motor boat engine.
25/30
A favourite: ‘Each Time You Pray’
100 words music reviews 