Lucy Wainwright-Roche - There's A Last Time For Everything

Lucy Wainwright-Roche - There's A Last Time For Everything
2013, 1-2-3-4-Go!

 

Lucy Wainwright-Roche’s family line shouldn’t be strange to anyone.  The daughter of Loudon Wainwright III and Suzzy Roche (The Roches), Lucy’s family also includes aunts Maggie and Terre Roche, Sloan Wainwright, and half-siblings Rufus and Martha Wainwright.  Although Lucy started late in the family business of music (she was originally a school teacher in New York City); she is quickly establishing herself as one of the most talented songwriters of the clan. Her 2011 album Lucy showed an artist capable of taking everyday moments and emotions and turning them into works of utter beauty.  On her recently released follow-up album, There’s A Last Time For Everything, Wainwright-Roche picks up right where she left off.

 

Wainwright-Roche opens with "This Year Will End Again", placing things like success and failure in the light of the cycle of the year. This philosophical exposition is laid bare on the stones of an utterly beautiful, string-laden arrangement.  The listener is caught up in the slow and inexorable build of beauty and meaning. "Seek & Hide" is an exploration of expectations versus reality in light of falling in love. Wainwright-Roche looks at her life through the eyes of an academic philosopher, generating questions more than answers. "Last Time" seeks to mark out the space between never was and always will be when it comes to relationships. It's hard not be blown away by the subtle yet powerful imagery Wainwright-Roche conjures here. The deep arrangements and her singular, lovely voice are additional layers that please the ear, but the songwriting is the thing that drives this experience. 

 

"Monte Rosa Range" reflects on a non-distinct memory that seems more a pastiche of time than a singular moment. Consider this a still life with moving parts, and consider Lucy Wainwright-Roche a master painter. "Look Busy" is a musical monologue of a friend consoling another in the face of loss. There is a sense of mixed emotions here where friendship and love may intermix, but our protagonist is keeping a careful distance for now. "Canterbury Song" has a quiet energy that is impossible to ignore. There is a love song in here somewhere, but it is buried in a momentary reflection on the past, stories and sparks. All the while, Wainwright-Roche paints with instruments, words and voice a gorgeous tableau. 

 

"Call Your Girlfriend" is a plaintive suggestion to end a love triangle by one of the points of that triangle. There's a plain spoken honesty here that's compelling, whatever your thoughts on the subject. Wainwright-Roche turns an awkward transition into a moving monologue that could be the centerpiece of an off-Broadway musical. "A Quiet Line" has one of the most unutterably beautiful choruses you'll ever hear, and tracks the history and questions of love in a gentle but vibrant waltz. "The Same" mulls cycles once again, and inability to change amidst the changes that occur around us.  "Take What You're Given" is another monologue that contrasts childhood reflections, complicated thoughts and a quiet hope for redemption. Wainwright-Roche creates gorgeous images with her words; compelling images that haunt your thoughts long after the music has fallen away. There's A Last Time For Everything closes with "Under The Gun", a relationship post mortem built on half truths and misunderstandings. Wainwright-Roche plucks beauty out if heartache like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat, and sings it in tones of nascent confidence. 

 

Lucy Wainwright-Roche offers up a magical listening experience on There’s A Last Time For Everything.  Spinning musical webs around highly personal tales of love, loss and the inevitability of change, Wainwright-Roche bares her soul and psyche in subtly unrelenting fashion.  The power of her songwriting comes from simple truths buried in the lines, and the power of the music comes from the little touches; rhythms, counter-rhythms, sounds that seem extraneous but aren’t… the attention to detail on this album is mind-boggling, and every sound, note and rhythm is perfectly placed.  But what’s more, Lucy Wainwright-Roche sells each story without drama and without cliché; she simply tells it like it is in wonderfully poetic and flowing muse.  There’s A Last Time For Everything is a Wildy’s World Certified Desert Island Disc, but even that might not tell you how good it is.  This is one of those rare heirloom albums that you will carry with you for a lifetime.

 

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

 

Learn more at www.lucywainwrightroche.com. 

 

Rob Morsberger - A Part Of You

Rob Morsberger - A Part Of You
2012, Hieroglyph Records

Rob Morsberger is the sort of guy who makes things happen musically.  A singer, songwriter and composer, Morsberger’s work has been featured on PBS’ NOVAScience/NOW, Frontline and Masterpiece Theater.  As a sideman, he’s worked with My Morning Jacket, Patti Smith, Crash Test Dummies, Loudon Wainwright III, Marshall Crenshaw, Willie Nile and others.  But it’s Morsberger’s solo work that’s most intriguing.  His previous albums have been a mix of eclectic and literate pop songs with hooks impale your ears and drag you along for the ride.  Morsberger recently released two new albums, one of which we are reviewing today.  A Part Of You is written from the perspective of a father diagnosed with terminal brain cancer for his young son; an attempt to leave a lasting message and gift to see him through his growing up years.

It would be easy to see such a work in terms of darkness, but while living in a valley of shadows, Morsberger projects light on A Part Of You.  The album opens with the contemplative and beautiful "This Isn't Kindness", exploring the human struggle to differentiate charity from love. It is a song of thanks and a teaching moment from father to son. "The Russian Cartographer" is an adept allegory for Morsberger's own live, swapping out an artist who maps people and emotions in song for a Man who delineates boundaries and landmarks for others to follow. It's a beautiful biograph in song with some deeply personal connections.

"An Inside Place" is deeply reminiscent at times of Sting's songwriting on The Soul Cages. The sense of being trapped within oneself transforms into an urgent need to be heard done up in Baroque pop undertones. The transition is vital, and in its own elemental way, beautiful. "The Man And The Birds" is a powerful take on overcoming death. As Death himself looks on, birds come down and lift a man out of his reach. The spiritual allegory between birds and angels is unmistakable, and the imagery has a sort of classical beauty. Brad Roberts adds his distinctive baritone voice here in duet to create an amazing split between light and darkness.

"Maydianne" finds Morsberger taking a break from deeper reflections for a love story told in song. If the Beatles ever wrote in a classical romanticism hue it might sound a lot like this. Issues of spirituality, art and legacy are in play in "Jacob Wrestles With An Angel". Morsberger's path to discovery here is fraught with more questions than answers, reflecting an incredibly real negotiation to find meaning in the fleeting valley between birth and death.

"Cancer Road" is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of life's sometimes surprising curves. The piano- driven arrangement is simple and full if peace, as perspective puts understanding in its proper place. Morsberger is at his most powerful in "A Part Of You", a live song from father to son. The heavily orchestrated arrangement is the perfect complement, as Morsberger creates an eternal greeting in place of words of parting.

"A Good Laugh" is painted against an eccentric and unsettled arrangement seemingly representing the chaos of life. In it, Morsberger reminds listeners that the greatest tragedy of all is not learning to laugh at life. He makes this point by including the infectious laughter of his son Elan. If this doesn't bring a smile to your face then you've forgotten how to listen. A Part Of You closes with "You Son", a sweet love ballad from father to son that is personal and universal all at once.

Rob Morsberger continues to grow as an artist, and in the act of A Part Of You has crafted his most affecting and personal work to date. Informed by the tragedy of a death foretold, Morsberger finds the vitality of life in the love of his son. You might liken his efforts to turning lemons into lemonade, but with A Part Of You Morsberger comes much closer to turning water into wine. A Part Of You is nothing less than a Wildy's World Certified Desert Island Disc.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more at www.robmorsberger.com. 

Rob Morsberger - Ghosts Before Breakfast

Rob Morsberger  - Ghosts Before Breakfast
2011, Hieroglyph Records

Rob Morsberger has always had a talent for writing deep-yet quirky pop/rock songs.  His 2010 release, The Chronicle Of A Literal Man, was a musical breath of fresh air bursting upon a world of jaded pop.  Morsberger’s most recent work, Ghost Before Breakfast, takes a darker yet no less enigmatic turn.  The album was written before Morsberger learned that he had inoperable brain cancer, yet listening to the album you’d think that some part of his mind knew something was going on.  The album foreshadows Morsberger’s battle in lucid terms, eking out the façade of beauty and tragedy that is real life.

Ghosts Before Breakfast travels the map, musically, from solid Americana to 1950’s rock to catchy pop tunes.  Kicking off with the title track, Morsberger sets the tone for an upbeat look at the downward slide that is the end of life.  “Ghosts Before Breakfast” is upbeat, almost jaunty.  In “The Great Whatever”, Morsberger explores facing the afterlife without concrete faith of belief to hold onto.  There is a gentle exploration going on here, a sort of intellectual curiosity about the spiritual truths of life and death.  “The Distinguished Thing” is a catchy little rock number that you won’t be able to get out of your head. 

Morsberger flaunts his talent for lyrical imagery in “Cobblestones”, lamenting the one who left him alone.  The easy listening arrangement is a nice contrast to Morsberger’s rough hewn voice.  “The Wild Wind” has a mellow-Springsteen feel, a solid Americana turn that’s deeper than it first appears.    “A Man Of Much Merit” is a letter from son to father about impending death, and expressing appreciation for his surroundings and his past.  This one is a heartbreaker – beautiful and without the expected sense of self-pity.  This is a ‘WOW’ moment.  “Celebrity Artist” finds Morsberger turning his prodigious wit on the modern concept of what it means to be a celebrity.  The song is well written and amusing.

It’s into 1950’s style pop/rock for “For Heaven’s Sake”, and into the 1960’s for the Beatles-esque “Rocket Science”.  Try to get this one out of your head.  “Feather In A Stream” is another wow moment for Morsberger, using strings to striking effect to highlight a Zen look at the world to come.  “Christine In Your Salon” is an ode to a remarkable woman, beautiful in its honesty and simplicity.  Mark that down as a third ‘WOW’ for Morsberger.

Ghosts Before Breakfast finds Rob Morsberger negotiating impending tragedy with a subtle grace that is inspiring.    It is a subdued work, full of quiet reflections and keen insight, but even here Morsberger doesn’t leave his sense of humor at the door.  Morsberger finds beauty in darkness, bring light to the gloom and doom of impending death, by choosing to focus on the life remaining than the end to come.  Ghosts Before Breakfast is inspiring.

Rating:  4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Rob Morsberger at www.RobMorsberger.com or www.myspace.com/robmorsberger.  Ghosts Before Breakfast is available through the e-tailers below, as well as through the Wildy’s World Amazon.com store.

   Amazon MP3            CDBaby (CD/MP3)       iTunes

Please note that the Amazon.com prices listed above are as of the posting date, and may have changed. Wildy's World is not responsible for price changes instituted by Amazon.com.

Sloan Wainwright - Upside Down & Under My Heart

Sloan Wainwright - Upside Down & Under My Heart
2011, Derby Disc

In the beginning, God created Loudon Wainwright, III, and it was good. Later came Rufus and Martha, and then Lucy Wainwright-Roche, and all was well for a new generation. Yet quietly, in the midst of all this musical creation, another Wainwright voice emerged. Forged of earth and sky, the deep contralto of Sloan Wainwright arose from the earth. Many stopped and stared in surprise at this unknown commodity, hewn more from the classical bedrock of folk music than any of her extended family. Now, six albums and many accolades on, Sloan Wainwright continues as the quiet musical bedrock that serves as the contrast for a wildly talented and creative family. 2011 saw the release of Sloan Wainwright's sixth album, Upside Down & Under My Heart, chronicles the aftermath of the death of her husband George, and noble effort of a human heart to overcome, heal and begin anew.

Presence is a gift in an artist. It cannot be learned or taught, but the natural talent can be developed in one so endowed. Sloan Wainwright's presence on Upside Down & Under My Heart is preternatural, carrying a sense of spirit and truth that is compelling. Without artifice or affectation, Wainwright bears her heart in ten original songs that cut to the meat of human suffering, healing and survival. "Live Out The Best Of Your Life" is a mantra, of sorts, a challenge to wake up each day, put your feet on the floor and go on. Simple in sentiment and deep in meaning, it's the perfect opener, delivered in Wainwright's clear, natural voice. "Upside Down & Under My Heart" is a sweet country ballad written from an expectant mother to her unborn child. The almost melancholy arrangement is in counterpoint to the peaceful, loving words that pass from one to the other, in a moment of beauty so simple it shines. "Here I Am" plays like a song of becoming; of growing up, or of emerging from darkness into a new sense of self. Once again, Wainwright eschews fancy dress for simple truth, allowing the emerging beauty of the human heart striving to be itself shine through.

"I Can See Now" is a simple declaration; a matter of fact, beautiful poetic statement of account of one, again, emerging from darkness. Similarly, "My Song" is about establishing yourself once again. In the context of the album, it can be seen as re-claiming the sense of self that was shared for so long and then torn asunder. In this moment, Wainwright finds healing, even as the pain of loss continues to abate but slowly. "I Wear The Ring" plays in many layers, sounding at first like an expectant bride, but perhaps a node to the past rather than the future. The allegory of the road will not be lost on those who make their living from music, although here the road is more mystical than real. "Holland" represents a sense of moving on, finding the power to begin again amidst new scenery. The story is told alongside a stunning melody, simple in its beauty yet weighty in its power. "Little Bit Right" explores the struggle to feel okay about feeling okay, and Wainwright concludes with "I Am Free", a gone-but-not-forgotten anthem that declares health and happiness in the gift of the time left.

In many ways, Sloan Wainwright comes full circle on Upside Down & Under My Heart. What doesn't change throughout the album is the simple power of lyrics, and the utter beauty of the melodies she pares them with. Wainwright builds simple parts into sublime creations while exploring the depths of human pain and recovery without malice or spite; a refreshing approach on modern music, popular or otherwise. Upside Down & Under My Heart is too mature to be truly popular, unfortunately, but it is a wondrous work that deserves to remembered and recognized when the year-end lists come around.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Sloan Wainwright at www.sloanwainwright.com.

             CD                   Download                    iTunes


Please note that the Amazon.com prices listed above are as of the posting date, and may have changed. Wildy's World is not responsible for price changes instituted by Amazon.com.

Lucy Wainwright-Roche - Lucy

Lucy Wainwright-Roche - Lucy

2010, Lucy Wainwright-Roche

Lucy Wainwright-Roche comes with quite a pedigree.  Her father, Loudon Wainwright III is something of a legend, and her mother Suzzy Roche was one-third of the sisters folk group The Roches.  Lucy is half-sister to Rufus and Martha Wainwright, each accomplished singer/songwriters, and Sloan Wainwright and David Roche all have their own branches on the family tree.  Perhaps the most surprising thing about Lucy Wainwright-Roche is the fact that she didn't plan on a career in music.  Wainwright-Roche got her Master's Degree in education in 2006 and spent some time teaching elementary school in New York City.  By 2007 the family vocation was exerting too insistent a pull, and Wainwright-Roche decided to pursue music full time.  Three independent EPs later, Wainwright-Roche has won the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival's Emerging Artist Competition (2008), the Grassy Hill Kerrville Folk Festival's "New Folk Singer/Songwriter Competition", and a 2008 Independent Music Award for Best Folk/Singer-Songwriter Song ("Snare Drum").  On October 26, 2010, Lucy Wainwright-Roche releases her first full-length album, Lucy.

Lucy opens with "Once In", a metronomic and stilted series of recollections that have an almost stream of consciousness feel to them.  You might have a hard time following her train of thought here, but Wainwright-Roche's voice makes everything alright; a sweet soprano that soars in airy undertones and lights perfectly on each note and word.  "Open Season" explores loss through memories of what has been and speculation of what might be.  It doesn't take long to realize that what you're hearing is far above and beyond the call of your typical folk singer/songwriter.  Wainwright-Roche isn't a strict storyteller, no.  She's more of a musical impressionist, mixing emotions, moments, people and events into a musical milieu where shading, texture and sound tell the story, while Wainwright-Roche's thoughts and apt attention to detail move the story along. 

"Early Train" explores the opposing dreams that sometimes tear a relationship apart or keep it happening from all.  The melody Wainwright-Roche has constructed is masterful, and her lyric touch is subtle and refined but misses no minute detail of the moment she's describing.  "The Worst Part" is a heart-to-heart monologue written to someone who's broken her heart.  Wainwright-Roche delivers an honest diagnosis of the relationship that's not so much about blame as it is facts, and then admits that the love has never gone.  There's a vulnerability and honesty here that's palpable, and it's nearly impossible not to empathize and like the singer/songwriter in this moment.  "October" celebrates a moment on the relationship timeline, the zenith of the relationship "we're happy as we're ever going to be".  It's a light and breezy moment brushed with the intangible knowing of reminiscence and features special guests the Indigo Girls.

"I-35" is a musical oil painting where Wainwright-Roche's impressionist tendencies come to full fruition.  The song is presented as more of an open-ended question than a story, but the spaces in between are filled with pure beauty in the arrangement and Wainwright-Roche's nearly carefree vocal wanderings.  "Accident & Emergency" is a straight-forward reflection of one incident involving a loved one.  It's here that you'll see the pure magic in Wainwright-Roche's songwriting.  "Accident & Emergency" takes a banal moment; one that would not ordinarily memorialized in song, and turns it into a beautiful and moving experience.  If Wainwright-Roche has achieved one pure moment as an artist, it's here, where she serves as a perfect mirror for the world around her while painting it in an affectionate pastiche.

All of that being said, "Mercury News" is the best pure songwriting on Lucy, with Wainwright-Roche showing a delicious pop sensibility in a song about a secret relationship "meet me by the water / someone's wife and someone's daughter / none of these will be my name today").  Everything works on this song, from the pop hook, the country-tinged arrangement or the picture-perfect lyrics.  On "Starting Square" Wainwright-Roche turns impressionistic again in a relationship song that explores the angst of second meetings.  This sets the listener up for Wainwright-Roche's vocal knockout, a lyric cover of Paul Simon's "America".  It's here that listeners are treated to the sweet, soaring soprano voice of Lucy Wainwright-Roche in its airy, flowing beauty.  Simon fans will love what she does with the song, which is reverent to the original but shines with Wainwright-Roche's personality.  Lucy closes with Elliot Smith’s "Say Yes", a duet with ­­­­Ira Glass that is well done but seems very out of character with the rest of the album.  "Say Yes" is a post-break-up song that sounds like it may have been cut live-in-studio with little in the way of touch-ups.  As such it proves Wainwright's voice to be as beautiful and sweet as it sounds on the rest of the album, while Glass essentially serves as a vocal foil.

The prodigal child often seems like the most welcome.  Lucy Wainwright-Roche's divergence from the family path was brief, luckily for us.  Wainwright-Roche's subtlety and panache are matched by her ability to craft impressionist scenes made from musical notes and words.  On Lucy, Wainwright-Roche takes everyday moments and emotions and turns them into works of utter beauty.  Lucy may seem somewhat mundane on first listen, but the album grows about you and sucks you in.  Lucy Wainwright-Roche has created a quiet masterpiece.  Lucy is a Wildy’s World Certified Desert Island Disc.  Don’t miss it.

 Lucy drops on October 26, 2010.  You can pre-order downloads from Amazon.com.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Lucy Wainwright-Roche at http://www.lucywainwrightroche.com/,  www.myspace.com/lwrlwr or lucywr.blogspot.com. 

David Silva - Moorpark Oasis

David Silva - Moorpark Oasis

2010, Moorpark Song

David Silva was on a path to a career in music in 1985 when he became a father and his priorities changed.  Living in New York City at the time, Silva returned to his native California with his burgeoning family and pursued the American dream.  Twenty years later Silva heard the call, and pulled his guitar out to play.  He hasn't looked back, playing at numerous venues in northern California over the past five years.  Now comes Moorpark Oasis; Silva's debut album is a collection of songs he's written over the years.  Silva's songwriting style and smooth delivery have garnered him comparisons to artists such as John Prine, Lyle Lovett and Loudon Wainwright III. 

Moorpark Oasis opens with “Guitars & Shady Ladies”, Silva’s take on the good life.  The song is entertaining, autobiographical and funny; a look at how he got to where he is in life.  The song is catchy with a great melody.  “Garlic” looks back on a relationship past with longing and regret.  It’s a paean to the little things we carry away from us, and the things that can touch our lives even years later.  “Coffee Shop” is a love song full of deep experience and emotion.  Silva’s arrangement is haunting and lovely.  “September Bride” is a wonderfully descriptive vignette, almost a Rockwellian perspective in music.  Silva’s words craft images that live in your mind.  “Blessing” is a song about the gifts that fill our lives, many of which we never realize.  “It Will All Be Perfect” offers the stark perspective of one in an abusive relationship.  The song is a bit unsettling in its honesty and well written.  Silva closes with “Life Is Good”, the celebration of the end of a relationship where she tried to change him. The song is funny and entertaining, turning anger into comedic commentary.

David Silva combines humor and honesty on Moorpark Oasis, wrapping them up in catchy and memorable folk arrangements.  Silva entertains without histrionics or flash; just a guy and his guitar and a wealth of life experience delivered with a twist of wit and a mischievous grin. Moorpark Oasis comes with high recommendations.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about David Silva at www.daveworldonline.com

dave@daveworldonline.com.  Moorpark Oasis is available as a CD or Download from Amazon.com.  A digital version is also available via iTunes.

Review: Rob Morsberger - The Chronicle Of A Literal Man

Rob Morsberger - The Chronicle Of A Literal Man
2010, Hieroglyph Records

Rob Morsberger is a classically trained pianist and composer based in New York City who not only scores television shows (NOVAscienceNOW) and session work with artists such as Marshall Crenshaw, Crash Test Dummies, Jules Shear and Loudon Wainwright III, but he also has three distinctive albums to his name. Writing from a musical depth that is rare in pop music, Morsberger crafts highly intellectual and occasionally twisted stories in song that are never dumbed down and always challenge the listener to think beyond their usual day-to-day considerations. Having found this style of writing works, Morsberger saw no need to change on his upcoming release, The Chronicle Of A Literal Man, due out May 11, 2010.

The Chronicle Of A Literal Man is based ostensibly on the life of Dalton Trumbo, one of the Hollywood Ten who were blacklisted from Hollywood due to their political beliefs in the days of Joe McCarthy and the Red Scare. The album opens with the title track, the unrepentant declaration of someone whose been beaten down, pushed around and generally chastised yet perseveres and perhaps even thrives in spite of it all. It’s a great rock tune with an energetic guitar solo and a solid kick-off for the album. “Stroke Of Insight” will call to mind thoughts of a Tom Petty/Bob Dylan hybrid. The song is highly literate and smart, with an unforgettable melody and solid arrangement to wrap it up tight. “Independent Movie” finds Morsberger stripping down the sound to acoustic guitar, percussion and voice. The musicianship here is top notch. “Modestino” has a pensive, perhaps even rueful feel; a classic 1970’s singer/songwriter vehicle. “When Everything Ended” is one of the more artful breakup songs you’ll come across. This retrospective on a romance gone bad has a gorgeous melody, and Morsberger crafts the story with a gentle but compelling touch. “Nebraska In Winter” could be an epilogue; marking how sometimes the escape we seek becomes the loneliness we run from. The story is told in a Springsteen-esque ballad (think The River) that will hold your attention. Morsberger closes out with the solid Americana arrangement of “You Don’t Get It”, a safe closer that moves back to the sonic middle of the road.

Rob Morsberger displays a keen but subtle wit on The Chronicle Of A Literal Man; not a humorist per se, but a fine story teller who sprinkles his stories with wit, charm and the occasional deep artistic reference that pretty much only Dennis Miller gets without reading the liner notes or press materials. Morsberger is an outstanding and in-demand side man, and his score work is impressive, but it’s in his singer/songwriter mode where Rob Morsberger shines brightest. The Chronicle Of A Literal Man is very much worth spending some time on.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Rob Morsberger at http://www.robmorsberger.com/ or www.myspace.com/robmorsberger. The Chronicle Of A Literal Man drops on May 11, 2010. Keep checking Morsberger's web page for availability.

Review: Sonic Bridge - American dReam

Sonic Bridge - American dReam
2009, Sonic Bridge

Sonic Bridge is a singer/songwriter from Massachusetts with a love for melody and an equal love for social commentary. The gift of music was imparted to Bridge from his father on the brink of deployment to Vietnam in 1969. His father taught him the chords to Home On The Range and asked that Bridge play the song for him on his return. It took the tragedy of September 11, 2001 to inspire Bridge to pick up a pen and begin to write; he hasn't stopped since. With influences running from 1960's Folk to Country to Pop Singer/Songwriters of the 1970's, Sonic Bridge has crafted a sound that is comfortable and familiar, and keeps it all fresh with lyrics that are topical, insightful and compelling. Bridge's debut album, American dReam, was released in September, 2009.

Celebrity Society is a humorous and scathing diatribe against the cult of personality that has replaced rational discourse in modern society. Bridge details the oncoming fall of Western Civilization as well as a sociologist, all wrapped in an infectious melody. Likewise, Weapons Of Mass Distraction takes to task all of the devices and gadgets that distract us from the things we should be paying attention to. Bridge uses driving as a real example, but the song has more universal applications than the obvious. The arrangement here is a sharp country setting that would play well to commercial Country radio but probably requires a bit too much thought for commercial success. Bridge makes light of humanity's taste for unusual cross-breeds of dogs in Doggie Style, pointing out that a generation ago the animals people pay thousands of dollars for now were called mutts and generally ended up in shelters.

Open Road Lament is a trucker song with a twist; it's all about reaching a stage where the call of home and love is more powerful than the call of the road. There's an introspective melancholy here; the narrator wants to get back home to where his love is. The melody and harmonies here are part of the aura of the song; and the arrangement is near-perfect. A True Patriot's Work Is Never Done contrasts the madness of a single individual with the madness of a social system that would award a dangerous man an adopted child. The song is a little too over-the-top to be anything but true. The hits keep coming on American dReam, where Bridge details how quickly affluence can turn to dust. The song is based on real happenings of The Great Recession, where the rich and powerful that caused the mess get richer while the common man and woman take the brunt of the consequences. American dReam is written in personal, autobiographical terms, even taking on the health insurance industry in the process. The song is one mass of disillusion with what had long been thought the greatest nation on Earth.

One Floor Taller is a call to rebuild the Twin Towers in New York City, using the tendency in American History to continue to fight and build. Bridge equates this American tenacity with a tribute to all who have died so that America would grow and survive. The song is a strong testimonial of patriotism and love for America and is very well written. Sonic Bridge offers up a bit of Mix Tape Magic with I Wait For You, a warm and poetic song of devotion that could end up as a wedding favorite if the word gets out. Same Sex Marriage gets a few chuckles by taking a different perspective on the entire issue. This is a great tune with a fun twist. Bridge even gets into the realm of global warming, with a fantastic story about one highly improbable consequence on The Polar Bear Giraffe. Bridge closes out with The World I've Been Waiting For, a musical moment in time that recounts the feeling of looking down on the world from the top of 10,000 foot peak. The sense of awe and magic for the narrator is palpable, as Bridge places the listener firmly in the narrator's moment.

Sonic Bridge plays with strong melodies and poetic words and do both well, but it's his ability to create a world or scenario around the listener that distinguishes him from other singer/songwriters. If you listen with your eyes closed, you might become convinced that you could simply open them and walk out into the worlds and moments that Bridge sings about on American dReam. The fact that many of his themes are universal helps, but Bridge has a singular ability to find that one detail in his lyrics that makes the moment real. This is not a gift that can be learned or taught. American dReam mixes serious social commentary, humor and fantastic songwriting to create a listening experience you won't soon forget. American dReam is magical; a Wildy's World Certified Desert Island Disc. Don't miss out on this one!

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Sonic Bridge at http://www.sonicbridgemusic.com/, where you can purchase American dReam using the Nimbit application.

Review: Tad Dreis - The Reluctant Hook (and the day that it caught)

Tad Dreis - The Reluctant Hook (and the day that it caught)
2009, Tad Dreis

Tad Dreis comes from vibrant Chapel Hill, North Carolina music scene that helped launch bands such as Hootie & The Blowfish and Edwin McCain to national prominence. Writing and performing quirky Folk/Pop tunes can be a tricky game, but Dreis has a real knack for finding the perfect hook or turn of phrase. Comparisons to Robyn Hitchcock and Loudon Wainwright III as they might have sounded jamming with the Beatles are apropos. Dreis releases his third album, The Reluctant Hook (and the day that caught it) drops on September 11, 2009. With Dreis' wide touring and acclamations in the past few years (including a 2006 nomination from APCA as Best Solo Artist), The Reluctant Hook might just be the album that breaks things wide open for him.

Dreis is a singer-songwriter with a focus on traditional style story songs that occasionally stray into uncharted territory. A prime example is the opening track, The Makeup Company; a tune about an experience with a call center with supernatural powers and a penchant for showing off. It's an amusing tale that seems almost plausible based on past experience. Button For You is pure Americana, stylistically similar to Blue Rodeo or Wilco. It's a song about being so caught up in the day-to-day that you can't enjoy the things that really matter. This is primo songwriting. My Backstory is all about the perils of becoming well-known, particularly all of the "truths" that become public knowledge without ever being checked for accuracy. The arrangement and even Dreis' voice call to mind fleetingly Canadian quartet Moxy Fruvous.

Blues For Werner is a lovely tune about the more melancholy aspects of being a truck driver. It's a gentle arrangement full of affection that stands out because of its pure honesty. Very often in life our basic comforts revolve around the most simple of material items, be it a pair of comfy jeans, or a blanket (ala Linus from Peanuts). The Rug That Swore is the story of a boy and his carpet. Yes, it's a bit odd but so sweetly done you'll find yourself getting into it. It's a great tune. Three Forms Of Media explores all the methods for hooking up in a modern age (phone, eMail and hand-written notes), and how those methods can be used to push things awry when someone isn't playing fair. It's a humorous tune with a sudden twist at the close. Advice For Ladies highlights the advantages of a woman having a "humorous gay friend". It's an amusing tune with more than a little truth to it. Dreis closes out with I'll Be There and Pear Blossoms, both decent tunes but perhaps lacking a bit of the mischievous glint that pervades the rest of the album.

Tad Dreis is a stellar singer-songwriter who happens to have a mildly twisted sense of humor. His approach is a classic one, able to appeal to a broad spectrum of fans. Intelligent lyrics with wicked turns and strong melodies make The Reluctant Hook (and the day that it caught) an outstanding listen, even if it things tail off a bit at the end.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Tad Dreis at http://www.taddreis.com/ or www.myspace.com/taddreis. You can purchase The Reluctant Hook (and the day that it caught) as either a CD or download through CDBaby.com.