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I love getting albums where you know nothing about the artist. There is no preconceived idea of how the album should sound, you just don't know what style of music is going to come out of your speakers - the excitement of finding the next big thing or on the other hand not. Many feelings go through your mind during the listening of a new artist, excitement, nerves and anticipation.
There is no need to panic, this new album from Mike Reeb is nothing short of genius, there you go I said it. This download of Breaking from his ...
Read More I love getting albums where you know nothing about the artist. There is no preconceived idea of how the album should sound, you just don't know what style of music is going to come out of your speakers - the excitement of finding the next big thing or on the other hand not. Many feelings go through your mind during the listening of a new artist, excitement, nerves and anticipation.
There is no need to panic, this new album from Mike Reeb is nothing short of genius, there you go I said it. This download of Breaking from his website is truly stunning. The album is on the acoustic side of indie rock, with a dash of folk in there and a very small hint of country, this is what makes the sound of Mike Reeb, sound like Mike Reeb.
Mike's musical journey started with Jeremy Keen in 1999 when the two formed Chicago's popular folk-rock outfit, Seventy Two Others. After several years of recording and performing alongside Jeremey, Mike settled in Lafayette, Indiana and went on as a solo act. Over the past ten years Mike has shared the stage with such artists as Alejandro Escovedo, Bill Mallonee, Derek Webb, Company of Thieves, Switchfoot and Sleeping at Last. He has also released many albums over the years, including The Canvas EP, the Without The City Lights album and even a seven track album called The Beatles which is an acoustic album of versions of well known Beatles tracks, being the Beatles nut I am, I really enjoyed listening to these versions which were great attempts at classic Beatles tracks.
The majority of this album is of acoustic origin, great guitar work and soulful, trustworthy, meaningful vocals which come through especially in the tracks Love Won't Hold You Down and You Win. On these songs Mike pushes his vocals to sing with a soft heartfelt tone.
I Gave You The World and Keep Me Close again are two mellow acoustic tracks, with great harmonies especially in the latter track. It's not until the track What Are You Fighting For do we hear the darker side of Mike Reeb, this White Stripes style track with added extra dark electric guitars, brings out the extra feelings of pain and hurt in Mike's vocals, all together gelling into a truly stunning song.
Primarily Mike is a story telling songwriter, in the same sense that Bob Dylan was, he tells great tales within his songs about the subjects of love and pain. He does this without seeming like he is trying too hard, the lyrics and melody flows from the guitar and Mike's lips into these tracks seamlessly.
The big story telling standout track of this masterpiece album has to be It's Been A Real Hard Year, and what a hard track it is, so much pain in the lyrics and the way it's sung is truly stunning, it even made me want to cry. But what is so great about the song is as at the same time as making me want to cry it was 2 minutes and 28 seconds of pure beauty, a very clever and touching song.
I can't give this album anything less than 5 stars, for me this is a masterpiece and an album I'm so glad I got to listen to and enjoy, acoustic indie rock at its best.
Review by Jono Davies
LTTM Rating 5 out of 5 Stars
Standout Tracks
It's Been A Real Hard Year
Keep Me Close
You Win
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