I am new to the music of Brett Dennen. I am the lucky one. This singer/songwriter swept me off my feet, with a resonance reminiscent of some musical greats in acoustics, folk, pop and reggae. Yet his sound is astonishingly original with true-to-life lyrics and warm guitar riffs.
Dennen’s artistic vision was cultivated uniquely and boundlessly. Home-schooled in the small gold rush town of Oakdale, California he had room to grow and flourish without the conformities of his peers. Teaching himself guitar at the age of twelve, the result is a channeling of worldly influences that spans the territory of many genres, but makes its home in the genus considered timeless.
His sophomore album, So Much More is Brett’s first recording for Dualtone Records and will be released on September 19th. This eloquently written track has beautiful guitar overtures that strike a similar chord to Gustavo Santaollala’s western ballads from “Brokeback Mountain.” Dennen credits the time spent playing and writing songs around a campfire in the Sierra Nevada Range as very important in his musical development. This song is living proof.
“Darlin’ Do Not Fear” and “When You Feel It” are worldly rhythmic tunes with a primal backbeat similar to Paul Simon’s Graceland. It’s therefore no surprise that Simon is Dennen’s biggest inspiration; yet this young artist sends out an innocent, uplifting sound that is all his own.
On a more spiritual note, reggae finds its way into the tracks, “I Asked When” and “Someday”. Themes of political unrest and warfare are delivered with bitingly realistic lyrics in “I Asked When”. The shadow of Bob Marley (another dominating force in Dennen’s music) emerges in “Someday”. A feel-good melody with hope and redemption pulling their weight beautifully to the last libretto.
Dennen turns it all around again – charming and wooing us with “She’s Mine” and “Because You Are a Woman”. His sexy, soulful voice and ardent lyrics remind me of Maroon 5 — minus the pop commercialism. “The One Who Loves You The Most” is equally endearing – I dare any woman to disagree.
So Much More definitely lives up to its word. Brett Dennen’s versatility in both songwriting and musicianship are well beyond his years. The music and the message is one of love and peace… honestly and authentically.
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