Review: Derek Webb - Stockholm Syndrome

Derek Webb - Stockholm Syndrome
2009, INO Records

Derek Webb is a trailblazer. Webb was an integral part of the creative force of Caedmon's Call until his departure in 2003 to pursue a solo career. While Caedmon's Call continued without Webb, the band was never quite been the same. On his own, Webb has proven to have a keen eye for the business side of music, using unique marketing techniques to drive up concert attendance and ultimately launch a new online music distribution system called NoiseTrade. On September 1, 2009, Derek Webb releases his latest album, Stockholm Syndrome. Webb co-produced the album with former Caedmon's Call bandmate and hip-hop producer Josh Moore (Bun B., Slim Thug). Webb has abandoned his folk/pop ways for an electronic sound that draws on hip-hop beats and musical styles that range across the entire Pop music era.

Stockholm Syndrome is all about becoming a prisoner to society, technology and any other icon that may influence day-to-day life, and is structured loosely like a story. Black Eye starts out with tendency of people to stay in familiar situations even when they are uncomfortable, using relationships as an example. The song is built in a heavily fortified electronic arrangement but takes a curious turn with a Beatles-esque chorus. Freddy, Please has a vocal line that sounds like it was taken right out of a late 1950's Pop song. The allegory here is unclear and the lyrical content floats on top of the song like an unkempt child, making for a confusing but intriguing listen. The Spirit Vs. The Kick Drum underlines both societal and individual obsession with worldly objects and institutions in an arrangement that sounds a bit like U2 in their "techno" phase. The State is a song of bittersweet regret from one who has thrown their lot in with the power brokers but still remembers the beauty of the world before. The song follows the corruption breeds corruption concept of power and expresses a duality; a desire for the way the world was as well as a continued desire for the destructive path of the state.

I Love/Hate You continues with this duality of man, this time in a relationship. The protagonist loves the person he's singing to and yet hates being tied down to her. He needs her but wants to push her away. The song itself is artfully written, although I think this would sound better with a more organic arrangement. The church-like organ flourishes seem to suggest that the traditional sense of commitment (marriage) hangs over the relationship and that is part of what fills the narrator with dread. This could be an extension of an earlier concept in The State that suggests the unwinding of traditional values as a means to consolidate the power of the state. Becoming A Slave marks the downfall of choice through choice, showing an Aldous Huxley vision of the future of mankind based on the current societal trends.

Heaven is a puzzling tune. It returns largely to the folk/acoustic background from which Webb comes, but conjures a post-modernist vision of the afterlife that almost has to be allegorical. I am not sure what exactly he was going for but I didn't walk away from the song understanding the vision behind it. What You Give Up To Get It is a morality tale that sets much of Stockholm Syndrome in bas relief against the light of logic. The song has a highly infectious rhythm that will translate well to the club scene (although the subject matter may be a little too substantive for mindless dancing). Webb closes out Stockholm Syndrome with American Flag Umbrella, exploring in philosophical terms the divergence of the American dream of liberty & equality for all and the whims of a populace governed by fear. The song is highly intelligent and likely to labeled irresponsible and dangerous by the political right; visionary by the left, and much discussed the real people in the middle.

Stockholm Syndrome, musically speaking, is more like an intellectual publication than popular music. The concepts and delivery are a bit heavy-handed and seem to draw unspoken lines between the current social and political environment in the US and stories such as 1984 and Brave New World. Musically speaking the album is something of a wash. The music is background against which Professor Webb details the decline and fall of Western Society but doesn't necessarily offer anything new or exciting. On the whole it's a very strong work, however whatever Webb has gained in flexibility by moving to a digital music environment is countered by a loss of nuance and color may help illuminate this story all the more.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Derek Webb at http://www.derekwebb.com/ or www.myspace.com/derekwebb. Stockholm Syndrome hits the streets on September 1, 2009. You can pre-order your copy through Amazon.com.

Review: Nick Daugherty - Movin' Higher

Nick Daugherty – Movin’ Higher
2009, Skyrocket Records

Los Angeles singer/songwriter Nick Daugherty is a former military officer with a penchant for deep lyrics and soulful arrangements. Among the upper echelon of performers on the L.A. music scene, Daugherty sets his sights on bigger things in 2009 with the release of his debut album, Movin’ Higher. Produced by Mandi Martin (Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Oleta Adams, Amy Kuney), Movin’ Higher finds Daugherty throwing his heart and soul into every single track. It’s no surprise considering his list of influences, which include Sting, Billy Joel, Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Dave Matthews, Paul Simon and Derek Webb (Caedmon’s Call).

Daugherty opens with Movin' Higher, the title track, a mix of Americana, Blues and good old-fashioned pop music. The song is highly melodic with soulful backing vocals and a whole lot going on between the staves. Daugherty breaks into some easy flowing R&B on Out Of My League, a Delilah-worthy tune if ever there was one. Sick Day has a Barry Manilow does R&B feel to it that's pleasant to listen to although a bit odd in retrospect. The music here is generally in the Easy Listening/Adult Contemporary category, and works so well because Daugherty's voice is so pleasant and unimposing. Daugherty hits serious mix-tape territory with A Thousand Times Tonight, a sweet "falling in love" song that is sure to melt some hearts.

Staring At The Sun is a song about getting in lost in your own social scene, it's a high energy though slightly muted rock song with a high commercial ceiling. This sounds like movie soundtrack material for a teen comedy; don't be surprised if a bunch of artists pick this up as a cover tune. Daugherty steps back from the precipice of Rock N Roll with a jazz-flavored, Manilow-style ballad in Jamie. The songwriting here is exquisite, with Daugherty showing a lyrical finesse that is uncommon. This is another tune that sounds like licensing is in its future. The same lyrical acuity is noted on I Won't Stand For Watching You Fall Down. This song also hits on some mix-tape magic, but does skate dangerously close to the edge of cliché at times. The album closes out with Something More and Please Come Back Home. The latter is a love song written in a Blues and Gospel Rock format that's highly appealing to the ear.

Nick Daugherty writes Rock N Roll with some Blues, Gospel and R&B flavoring, depending on the mood of the song. Comparisons to folks like Barry Manilow, Marc Cohn and Joshua Kadison are inevitable. Daugherty's voice is a great sounding every man's voice; easy on the ears and with enough energy and heartfelt emotion to get listeners to buy into his songs. As a songwriter Daugherty is outstanding, possessing a talent for crafting lyrics that convey meaning without sounding trite. The material on Movin' Higher has a definite reading on the Schmaltz scale, but so what? When it's done well in the context of great songs, schmaltz is just another form of showmanship. Daugherty proves that showmanship is definitely a talent he possesses, and Movin' Higher is a great introduction who should be making music for many years to come.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)
You can learn more about Nick Daugherty at www.myspace.com/nickdaugherty or http://www.nickdaugherty.com/. You can purchase a copy of Movin’ Higher at Amazon.com, or download the album from iTunes.