After downloading the album ONE from indie band Still Running, I set out with a critical ear. I was determined to find some problem in this release, so my review wouldn't sound like I was gushing over my college friends band just because my friend was in it. But after several listens my major complaint was that it was only 11 songs long. On a small indie release one might expect poor production quality, or a band where all the songs sound the same. Neither of these problems are evident here. Let's look track by track.
1. One-- The title track is an acoustic guitar driven number, sort of a political piece with an early Jackson Browne feel, Mike Mercatante handles the lead vocal, with Jenna Reed (my college friend) handling background vocals on this track. It is a moving number, with nice harmonica parts and a haunting electric guitar solo at the end.
2. Robert Immolation-- Jenna takes lead vocals on this hauntingly beautiful tune. Light acoustic guitar and piano move along the melody. Not sure of the story of the song, but it is a lovely song, ending with a portion from St. Patrick's Breast Plate (a tradition song written by St. Patrick in the 5th century).
3. Crazy-- The third track picks up the tempo a little. Jenna once again on lead vocals; drums and electric guitar drive along this look at the things that make us all a bit crazy at time; like relationships, religion and the injustice in the world. Love the chorus: "Crazy is as crazy does, We might be sane if we knew what that was." Probably my favorite track on the album.
4. Outside Blues-- A flat out blues track, with bass, percussion and great harmonica. Mike handles the lead vocal on this one, vocals remind me of Mike Roe on some of the bluesier 77's tracks, or T-Bone Burnett in his 80's alternative-blues stage.
5. I Wish You Could Hear Me-- This is a very lovely and emotional song about communication and loving even through hurting. Piano and guitar accompany Jenna in a song that is reminiscent of Jewel or Sarah McLachlen.
6. Box of Secrets-- An up tempo pop alternative number featuring Jenna on lead, but Mike sharing harmony vocals most of the way through. Guitar, drums and harmonica accompany. Not sure why, but this track reminds me of the group Barenaked Ladies. A very fun song that I think could fit in any current adult radio station.
7. The Mountain-- A very uptempo fun tune, with Mike taking lead vocals, accompanied by Banjo drums and a New Orleans sounding horn section. This song reminds me a lot of T-Bone Burnette's soundtrack for "Oh, Brother, Where art Thou".
8. Only Now-- The most beautiful song on the album, a slow tempo piano and guitar accompany Jenna's vocals. The song has a bit of a Zen feel to it. "You will go where I have been Make the landscape different and return again." This is my second favorite track on the album.
9. Heavy is the Heart-- Guitar and Mike's voice open up this track, with Jenna joining on duet vocals on this track that musically reminds me of early Simon and Garfunkel (not the tracks everyone knows by them, but their more edgy folk stuff). This is a probably the most political track on the album.
10. Merciless Sun-- Without a doubt the edgiest track on the album. Jenna's vocals are processed this time, and the effects are very cool. The song seems like an interpretation of parts of Ecclesiastes talking about how no matter how many times we do something we know is wrong, we do it again. "The merciless sun is laughing at me. She knows what an idiot I am." Very Alternative sound to it.
11. Speak Your Peace-- An amazing song, almost could fit into a modern liturgy. A bit of an eastern influence to the music, like some of George Harrison's more obscure tracks. musically edgy, and powerful vocally.
Overall, this is an exceptionally well produced indie album, and well worth the $10 to download. If you need the link to down load it, you can find it by clicking the title line of this blog or click here. Don't miss out on this great album. The download also include a PDF of the CD liner, including lyrics (a nice touch) .
1. One-- The title track is an acoustic guitar driven number, sort of a political piece with an early Jackson Browne feel, Mike Mercatante handles the lead vocal, with Jenna Reed (my college friend) handling background vocals on this track. It is a moving number, with nice harmonica parts and a haunting electric guitar solo at the end.
2. Robert Immolation-- Jenna takes lead vocals on this hauntingly beautiful tune. Light acoustic guitar and piano move along the melody. Not sure of the story of the song, but it is a lovely song, ending with a portion from St. Patrick's Breast Plate (a tradition song written by St. Patrick in the 5th century).
3. Crazy-- The third track picks up the tempo a little. Jenna once again on lead vocals; drums and electric guitar drive along this look at the things that make us all a bit crazy at time; like relationships, religion and the injustice in the world. Love the chorus: "Crazy is as crazy does, We might be sane if we knew what that was." Probably my favorite track on the album.
4. Outside Blues-- A flat out blues track, with bass, percussion and great harmonica. Mike handles the lead vocal on this one, vocals remind me of Mike Roe on some of the bluesier 77's tracks, or T-Bone Burnett in his 80's alternative-blues stage.
5. I Wish You Could Hear Me-- This is a very lovely and emotional song about communication and loving even through hurting. Piano and guitar accompany Jenna in a song that is reminiscent of Jewel or Sarah McLachlen.
6. Box of Secrets-- An up tempo pop alternative number featuring Jenna on lead, but Mike sharing harmony vocals most of the way through. Guitar, drums and harmonica accompany. Not sure why, but this track reminds me of the group Barenaked Ladies. A very fun song that I think could fit in any current adult radio station.
7. The Mountain-- A very uptempo fun tune, with Mike taking lead vocals, accompanied by Banjo drums and a New Orleans sounding horn section. This song reminds me a lot of T-Bone Burnette's soundtrack for "Oh, Brother, Where art Thou".
8. Only Now-- The most beautiful song on the album, a slow tempo piano and guitar accompany Jenna's vocals. The song has a bit of a Zen feel to it. "You will go where I have been Make the landscape different and return again." This is my second favorite track on the album.
9. Heavy is the Heart-- Guitar and Mike's voice open up this track, with Jenna joining on duet vocals on this track that musically reminds me of early Simon and Garfunkel (not the tracks everyone knows by them, but their more edgy folk stuff). This is a probably the most political track on the album.
10. Merciless Sun-- Without a doubt the edgiest track on the album. Jenna's vocals are processed this time, and the effects are very cool. The song seems like an interpretation of parts of Ecclesiastes talking about how no matter how many times we do something we know is wrong, we do it again. "The merciless sun is laughing at me. She knows what an idiot I am." Very Alternative sound to it.
11. Speak Your Peace-- An amazing song, almost could fit into a modern liturgy. A bit of an eastern influence to the music, like some of George Harrison's more obscure tracks. musically edgy, and powerful vocally.
Overall, this is an exceptionally well produced indie album, and well worth the $10 to download. If you need the link to down load it, you can find it by clicking the title line of this blog or click here. Don't miss out on this great album. The download also include a PDF of the CD liner, including lyrics (a nice touch) .
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