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Sat, 04-17-10 - 4:15pm by CarleneK

Ode to an album

I know it's a little early, but if you're looking for a fresh soundtrack for summer, I think I've found something for you. Last week I visited a bar on Staten Island to listen to an English professor at my college, who writes and performs music under the name of Carraway. His childhood friend from Wisconsin who has been Brooklyn-based for some time now, was also there performing original music--hence, my discovery of The Reverend John DeLore (not actually a reverend). Despite coming in late, I was able to catch his last two songs and immediately realizing his music was quite enjoyable to listen to, decided to grab a CD.

This reverend of sorts’ debut album "Ode to an American Urn" intertwines a variety of musical genres, including folk, country, alternative rock, blues, and jazz sounds with poetry lyrics, catching choruses, hot guitar riffs, gritty vocals, and sophisticated instrumentation (the piano in "Slow Down" is gorgeous!). Unlike many folk singers whose voices occasionally get lost in the telling of the story, in all of the thirteen songs on the album, you need no reminder that John DeLore is a talented vocalist as well as songwriter.

Songs such as "Don't Fall Asleep at the Wheel Tonight" are reminiscent of Ryan Adams. A major difference between the two artists, however, is that few of John DeLore's songs are sad, contrary to the vast, vast majority of Ryan Adams' music (his record label originally refused to release his albums "Gold" and "The Suicide Handbook" because they were "too sad"). Rather, songs like "The Art of War" and “In’Shallah” will probably get you pulled over for dancing and driving.

You can hear samples of DeLore’s music on his website: http://thereverendjohndelore.bandcamp.com/
However, if after listening to the several-second samples, you don't feel like writing an ode to the album, I suggest listening to the songs in their entirety, some of which can be found on youtube, before you give up hope and resent me for telling you how good it was.

Let me know what you think! And, what bands/artists/albums have you been into lately?