Saul Conrad - Poison Packets

Brookline, MA based singer-songwriter Saul Conrad has released his debut effort titled Poison Packets. The release is an eclectic and diverse collection of tunes that shows off the simplicity of his sound, but also the sheer sophistication of his lyrics as well and how they unwrap different facets of his personality one by one.

The disc opens up with the soulful "Bonfire Blues" a romantic, edgy tune that sees Saul enticing you with his innovative and clearcut vocal style and lyrics that will definitely make the women blush as they're hearing it. "Mexico" is a strictly acoustic based number that takes a stripped down, bare bones approach giving the listener another perspective of Saul to uncover and check out for themselves. "Whiskey Eggs" is an upbeat, joyful tune with a slight bombast that brings the audience together for a sing-along that shows off a certain, dignified unity between the audience and the artist performing the tune. "Bird In The Sun" is a short, concise tune clocking in at just a minute and 22 seconds that accomplishes alot musically in such a short span of time with Saul's vocal abilities cooing in and out of the organic acoustic guitar interludes that sound fresh and inviting the minute you hear it.

The disc's second half takes shape with "Murrey Knows", a thoughtful, resourceful tune that sees a certain bonding unity with Saul and the guitar that almost functions as a symbiotic relationship that gives way to the creation of a terrific and joyous tune. My favorite track off the disc is "Loopy Su", a lush, intricate number that sees Saul continuing to build up his credibility and cache as an artist with a certain and inviting allure that you just won't find anywhere else with any given artist. The disc starts to draw to a close on "The Engines", a steady and breezy number that does a great job of packing in as many musical components together in a short timeframe of just under 2 minutes that accomplishes a great deal to achieve its mission. And the disc ultimately concludes on "Sycamore", a cooing and earthly delight with Saul's comforting vocal presence making you feel relaxed and right at home, and gives you time to look back on the album and all the wondrous soundscapes that we encountered in our journey to the conclusion of the album. It's great to hear musicians, especially those who reside in the Boston area, find their identity as an artist within themselves and have that sensibility come out in their music that is representative of the type of person they are, something that is remarkably difficult to accomplish in this day of age, but Saul pulls it off exceptionally well right here.

Looking back, a solid and well composed effort of songs put forth by Saul Conrad, who has made his name known as a songwriter to keep an eye on in the months and years to come with an extraordinary gift to share with his listening audience and a certain charm and charisma that can't be duplicated anywhere else.

                                                                                                                               Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Bonfire Blues
2. Mexico
3. Darkness
4. Whiskey Eggs
5. Bird In The Sun
6. Pack Up Your Razors
7. Murrey Knows
8. Loopy Su
9. The Engines
10. Sycamore