Search - Features :: Some Kind of Salvation (Eco)

This doesn't happen often

J. Shepherd | Nashville, TN United States | 08/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first album I ever owned was back in 1973, when I was five years old. I've been buying, playing, and listening to music for a long, long time. My family room is decorated with framed album covers and giant posters. But like any long-time music lover, discovering new music that grabs me by the heart and brain and won't let go seems to get harder as time goes by. All that said, "Some Kind of Salvation" is a revelation to me. This will be a favorite of mine for as long as my ears can still make out the sounds of every amazing note of this seamless collection of songs.



And a collection it is. In this age of the digi single, these Middle Tennessee boys have created a sum greater than its parts. Listening all the way through the whole CD creates a greater sense of satisfaction than cherry picking a song here or there. That's saying something, since there are plenty of highlights here anyone could focus on as examples of "Salvation"'s excellence. I'm partial to Temporary Blues, GMF, Drawing Board, and All I Ask, if forced to choose. But I think I'll stick to full-on A to Z listening sessions for the foreseeable future. Put the playlist on repeat and dive in!"

Features and Benefits............

! Metamorpho ;) | Castle in Scotland | 04/24/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"People. In this work-a-day, confusing, energy depleting a go-go society I will admit that even your illustrious Seer gets anesthetized towards any newer music that gets offered for the public's consumption. Thus, I always seem to revert back to the 60's,70's and some 80's pop confections. I love rock music, psychedelic music, little hints of jazz and some spicy horns. That's not all, of course, but the important thing is the spark, after all.



It takes a lot to impress me these days. I do remember I was awed when, traveling back in time, William Tell shot an apple and my orange clown wig off my head. Then, there was the time the Partridge Family bus fishtailed and flung my prize winning pumpkin right at Vincent Price at a haunted house grand opening to the public. No. He did not scream "help me" for all of you who wonder. Then, the very last time I was impressed was when I beat out Mick Jagger for the rock n roll hall of fame many moons ago. Yes. I inspired his song "Shattered", in case you're wondering. But, that was the very last time.



So, not so long ago, I was home at my Castle. And, after feeding my dragon his favorite pet food, Fancy Beast, I meandered over to my computer to check out world events that I did not influence (I found very few). Exasperated, I decided to go to a site that lets you sample music. I checked the selections. Naw, nothing interesting. Then I came across the Features "Some Kind of Salvation". I stopped and thought the c.d. cover artwork looked interesting, so why not give it a try?



Needless to say, it was one of the most pleasant jolts I've recieved in a very long time. What a remarkable and amazing recording! I just had to have it and ordered it immediately. It's like I discovered good rock music all over again. Seriously. These guys are on to something and you all are very lucky that I am here to report it to you.



What the Features most certainly offer you here is a kind of salvation indeed. Whether it be from the ludicrous mundane music industry that we all suffer from these days, or the mundane worlds we are all forced to go through. In answer to your question "where did all that good music go", it is here. We are all better for it. I have so deemed.



The Features, with this proffering, have returned rock music back to the creative, stylized mantle which has been missing for such a long, long time. They employ a number of influences here. To name a few, the rocking horse intro of "Whatever Gets You By" segueing into a beer house round chorus, taking the beat higher with a horn like section into "The Drawing Board". The psychedelic undertones of "Foundations Cracked". They intro with a light piano, go into a pleasant sychopated beat and then a jarring vocal lift. They have total control over the musical hook, which they employ throughout this c.d.



They can certainly jar your world with the amazing "GMF (Genetically Modified Fable)", a quirky modification of Jack and the Beanstalk for sure. But they don't stop there. We get the insistent lift of "Temporary Blues" (which is not a blues song at all but about the trials of finding occupational worth in the world). Also, the McCartney influenced "Baby's Hammer". They can add a light touch of piano and acoustic guitar when needed or get you up on your feet with the riveting "Lions".



And what of the topics they sing about? Certainly love and of achieving some sort of stable ground within yourself. They do this with the awareness that the world, being more complex than ever before, needs a re-examination of tired outlooks that don't work anymore. Off-beat, kaleidoscopic and wholly creative lyrics join into this mix. Each song has an individual identity that draws you in. The writing is masterful enough to have no song sound like another. But they all meld together so perfectly that the accomplishment is definitely one to take notice of.



I usually get new product and tire of it eventually and move on to something else. Not this one. This is a highlight, a very highlight, needed in any considerable pop-rock collection. This, thus far, is an esoteric find. The shame is that these guys should be heard by all of you who appreciate the qualities I've mentioned. Refreshing and totally needed by all. Great group!



Now, back to the important issue of trying to retrieve my orange clown wig. Can't deal with green wigs anymore. :(



They've given me a plastic hat, earplugs and a funny net for my hair.....

I'm well prepared, Metamorpho ;)



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