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More of What You'd Expect

Brooks Williams | 10/17/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Keller Williams is a fantastic guitar player. His acoustic percussive style is reminiscent of Leo Kottke and Michael Hedges and his live show is quickly becoming legendary. As anyone who has seen Williams perform can attest, his talents extend past his custom acoustic guitars. But since Williams started performing, he's had other musicians filling in the holes on various instruments. Williams' new album, Home, is his first in which he is the sole performer. In addition, the songs were all recorded within 15 minutes of his home in Virginia, which explains where the album's title comes from.Just because Williams is the only musician on the album doesn't mean he's limited to acoustic guitar. Over the course of the album, he plays basses, drums, keyboards, electric guitar, doboro, and more. Along with the physical instruments, Williams also plays his well-known mouth-flugel and mouth-drums.As expected, the songs are typical Keller Williams. There are a few departures, like the reggae-infused "Dogs". It's like the most careful song on the album; there isn't a moment in the song that seems out of place or excessive. The only element of the song that is distinctly Keller Williams is the lyrics: "but the deadly gas/that can clear a room/or make you think/you're going to wreck the car/eventually goes away."Following on the heels of "Dogs" is the beautiful instrumental, "Skitso". The song features some of the best guitar playing on the whole album. Despite a heavily percussive beginning, the middle section features some very pretty and delicate playing. After a return to the song's opening theme, it segues seamlessly into Williams' ode to airport moving walkways, "Moving Sidewalk".But far and away the best song on Home is "Above the Thunder". This song combines the best of what Williams has to offer: memorable vocal harmonies and a style of guitar playing that is both calm and frantic at the same time. This song about a stormy airplane flight perfectly captures the mood of the situation being described. The slower lush chords seemingly mimic the constant drone of the plane while the busier part is similar to both the turbulence and the jittery anticipation of being in a plane during a storm. It's done so well that even the sound of the thunder that closes the song doesn't sound cheesy.Home is mostly a good album. There are a few stinkers like "Butt Ass Nipple", which sounds as bad as its name, but overall the album is fairly decent. The instrumentals are the highlights, but songs that seem to break out of the mold like "Casa Quetzal" and "Dogs" are great as well. This is Keller Williams' 8th album and this reviewer is beginning to wonder if Williams will ever break out and do something drastically different. But for the timebeing, this is just another good Keller Williams album."

Killer Keller

Tom C | Decatur, Ga United States | 08/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Keller at his best. He finally released a studio album that is like the Keller that we all know, a solo one. A half vocal and half instrumental mix keeps this unique album exciting. His great lyrics and technical expertise on the umpteen instruments he plays on this album, makes ownership a requirement."

*swoon*

SugarMeg | Myrtle Beach, SC | 09/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just bought this cd while at Keller's show this past weekend. It's not my first cd of his, but I definitely already have favorite songs. My first Keller Williams cd was Laugh and I loved him before I saw him. The way he layers the various components of a song to create the perfect melodies are just amazing, and he didn't lack any of his childlike creativity on "Home." They way he paints a picture with his voice on the song "Above the Thunder" is incredible. When I'm listening to it, it's like he's in my head, creating the thoughts as I watch the scene inside the plane unfold. And it's just so calming. But his saucy side comes out in "Casa Quetzal." If you were wishy-washy about buying this cd...don't waffle any more. BUY IT! He's an incredible artist and you won't be disappointed for one moment throughout the entire disc. Enjoy!"