CD Review: Jackie Greene - American Myth
Published March 19, 2006
"Closer to You":
One of the most chill tracks on the record. Lyrically, it's probably the closest to a biopic since Sweet Somewhere Bound's "Write a Letter Home."
"you can listen to the money
you can listen to your friends
but if you listen to your heartbeat
you might never go home again"
I hope it's not necessary that I analyze that. In reality though, it doesn't even matter, because the lyrics aren't what make the song great. The warm guitar tone, the rhythmic drums, and the backup vocals truly power it.
"I'll Let You In":
In the vein of the other acoustic songs, it takes a slow ballad, and through subtle additions, reaches a seemingly unattainable level with them. All it takes is just a few notes here and a slide there to make this piece really come alive. With headphones, it leaps into your ears, and you can absorb each iota that combine for an experience like no other. It's soft and sweet, evoking a stare out the window, and the evaporation of the daily worries. Like the title alludes, Greene extends the listener an invitation to that idyllic world that seems to inspire his music.
"Farewell, So Long, Good-Bye":
The horns come out again on this song, bringing the energy with them. Instead of a poppy chorus like "So Hard", it's got a blues grit and a rocky tone; a style reminiscent of Rusty Nail, his first album.
"Supersede":
Clocking it at nearly 10 minutes, this is surely one of his longer songs. I think the length alone, however, testifies to his unique reign of artistic freedom, and a lack of an oppressive label. Too often, songs like these are shortened to 3 or 4 minutes, so as to make them more accessible or realize them as singles. In its entirety, the song is catchy and never drags, but if it were cut short, it wouldn't be much more than filler. If an artist has material, why not let them see where they can take it? "Supersede" has that Dylan ramble and good natured vocal; at times you can almost hear him laugh as he sings.
"Marigold":
I've had a solo acoustic copy of this song for quite some time. To be honest though, I wasn't sure if the album would be able to improve on it. I could not have been more wrong, especially with the power of the chorus amplified drastically in this version. If you were afraid that this album didn't have the loneliness that fuels most great artists, this track proves you wrong as well. It's a slow, meandering piece that swells to a chorus but twice in 5 minutes. Instead of hurting the song though, this helps it, making the two stand apart with beauty and authoritarian clout.
- CD Review: Jackie Greene - American Myth
- Published: March 19, 2006
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Rock, Music: Indie Rock, Music: Folk, Music: Country and Americana, Music: Blues, Music: Alternative Rock, Music: Adult Alternative
- Writer: ChaunceyBillups
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