lo, the hard times: an album review
Smalltown Heroes has just released their long awaited album lo, the hard times. The band is a trio from Lafayette, Indiana that ventures into the folk, country, and blue grass genres without any of these completely describing their music. All three members sing, write, and play various instruments which brings a unified diversity to this album that is rare. The album is woven into a novel of sounds. Each chapter tells its own story, but lends itself to developing the entire plot. This album also features no less than 17 guest musicians creating a musicality that far surpasses what one would expect to hear from a trio.
The album opens with a cowboy western fit for a truck driver. (every time I listen to Cowboy's Last Goodbye I envision myself driving through the desert in a large truck) Whether intentional or not, the Cash inspired rhythm of Cowboy's is unmistakable. It is at this opening moment of the album that you feel that you are about to take a journey. Where you are headed is unclear, but you feel intrigued and safe enough to let the music take you there.
Brian Greene's vocals, much like his character, are robust and they pull you in. They are not polished, but they are still pleasing. On several tracks the listener feels as though at any moment he could overtake and overwhelm the music. There are however, other instances in which Greene lets down his guard and sings from a place of sincerity that is overwhelming on a completely different level. (Don't Take It Bad)
Dallas Johnson's vocals are as prevelant as Greene's throughout the album which gives it a nice balance. Only one male voice represented on an entire album would eventually push the listener away in the case of Greene or lose it's charm in the case of Johnson. Johnson's voice contrasts his male counterpart without feeling out of place. His vocals are vulnerable without being puny, but he experiments with them on several tracks adding depth to the album. At times he conjures up images of Jon Foreman of Switchfoot, such as the track Thy Kingdom Come.
This review would be incomplete, as would Smalltown Heroes, if I forgot about Bethany (Jones) Johnson. Her vocal presence on the album is not as prevelant, but her contribution includes one of the most moving songs I have heard in a very long time. Sad Songs is a track that brought tears to my eyes. It is not often that a song will have this effect on me, but there is something special about this song. It is a heart breaking account of love lost and the pain that it can leave behind. Bethany's vocals are fragile and draw you into a place that is all too familiar. It is a haunting track that fits perfectly on the album.
lo, the hard times is unique in so many ways, but at the same time the listener feels at home here among its chapters. What makes this album great is the willingness of its authors to put their stories on paper. From beginning to end this musical journey is full of highs and lows. It is a very human story and that is what makes it so special. A casual observer may not notice anything extraordinay about this band from Indiana. In many ways this group may not stand out from a hundred other artists that have similar musical styles. However, a close look reveals that this band is much more than just the same old thing. Each member of its band draws from his or her experiences and has laid them out for us to partake in if we are willing.
We will enjoy the music and dance to some of the songs, but if we allow ourselves to truly listen to their words we will find they are speaking to each one of us. Our experiences are completely different, but the heart ache that can accompany the human experience and the truth that each of us longs for is universal. Smalltown Heroes have crafted an album of depth that will make you laugh, cry, dance, pray, remember, rejoice, and mourn. This afterall is an album that celebrates the good and the bad not because its authors want you to feel a certain way, but because they understand that to move your life forward you must accept all the living that has come before.
If you are already a fan of Smalltown Heroes or have heard the new album please feel free to add your own comments. If this is your first time hearing about the band please check out http://www.thesmalltownheroes.com/ and look for them on myspace.
Until next time...
peace
The album opens with a cowboy western fit for a truck driver. (every time I listen to Cowboy's Last Goodbye I envision myself driving through the desert in a large truck) Whether intentional or not, the Cash inspired rhythm of Cowboy's is unmistakable. It is at this opening moment of the album that you feel that you are about to take a journey. Where you are headed is unclear, but you feel intrigued and safe enough to let the music take you there.
Brian Greene's vocals, much like his character, are robust and they pull you in. They are not polished, but they are still pleasing. On several tracks the listener feels as though at any moment he could overtake and overwhelm the music. There are however, other instances in which Greene lets down his guard and sings from a place of sincerity that is overwhelming on a completely different level. (Don't Take It Bad)
Dallas Johnson's vocals are as prevelant as Greene's throughout the album which gives it a nice balance. Only one male voice represented on an entire album would eventually push the listener away in the case of Greene or lose it's charm in the case of Johnson. Johnson's voice contrasts his male counterpart without feeling out of place. His vocals are vulnerable without being puny, but he experiments with them on several tracks adding depth to the album. At times he conjures up images of Jon Foreman of Switchfoot, such as the track Thy Kingdom Come.
This review would be incomplete, as would Smalltown Heroes, if I forgot about Bethany (Jones) Johnson. Her vocal presence on the album is not as prevelant, but her contribution includes one of the most moving songs I have heard in a very long time. Sad Songs is a track that brought tears to my eyes. It is not often that a song will have this effect on me, but there is something special about this song. It is a heart breaking account of love lost and the pain that it can leave behind. Bethany's vocals are fragile and draw you into a place that is all too familiar. It is a haunting track that fits perfectly on the album.
lo, the hard times is unique in so many ways, but at the same time the listener feels at home here among its chapters. What makes this album great is the willingness of its authors to put their stories on paper. From beginning to end this musical journey is full of highs and lows. It is a very human story and that is what makes it so special. A casual observer may not notice anything extraordinay about this band from Indiana. In many ways this group may not stand out from a hundred other artists that have similar musical styles. However, a close look reveals that this band is much more than just the same old thing. Each member of its band draws from his or her experiences and has laid them out for us to partake in if we are willing.
We will enjoy the music and dance to some of the songs, but if we allow ourselves to truly listen to their words we will find they are speaking to each one of us. Our experiences are completely different, but the heart ache that can accompany the human experience and the truth that each of us longs for is universal. Smalltown Heroes have crafted an album of depth that will make you laugh, cry, dance, pray, remember, rejoice, and mourn. This afterall is an album that celebrates the good and the bad not because its authors want you to feel a certain way, but because they understand that to move your life forward you must accept all the living that has come before.
If you are already a fan of Smalltown Heroes or have heard the new album please feel free to add your own comments. If this is your first time hearing about the band please check out http://www.thesmalltownheroes.com/ and look for them on myspace.
Until next time...
peace
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