The disc starts out with "A Ghost Called Love", a wondrous, folk infused jam with an array of relaxing acoustic guitar arrangements and lightly tuned percussion arrangements that give you an idea of the type of music that we'll encounter in our journey through the album. "Put It On" is a downtempo number that brings the energy level down a couple of notches, and relies upon Brian's vocals to create a comforting beacon that bridges the gap between the varying degrees of tempos and a well rounded and diverse album begins to take shape in the process. My favorite track off the disc is "Steady My Love" a beautiful, organically composed ballad that highlights Brian's exquisite vocal abilities that feel right at home amongst the backdrop of the simple yet elegant instrumentation that lays before you as you're listening. "Living Tribute" continues to dabble in a downtempo frame of mind with Brian's voice growing deeper with each passing moment that ticks by.
The second half kicks off with "Sink Or Swim", a pleasant sounding ballad that varies in degree on the type of instrumentation being implemented, albeit on a higher degree of tempo this time around that gives us a different flavor and a even greater variety that we hope to hear more of going forward. The disc starts to come to a close on "Loveless", a deeply personal, authentic ballad that shows off Brian's personable side and his ability to weave thought provoking lyricism within the instrumentation that puts a great touch on a well rounded and executed album all the way throughout. The disc ultimately concludes on "Last Domino", a terrific closing track that brings together all the elements that we've heard so far, and condenses them in an encapsulated format that allows us to look back and see all the shapes and sounds that we've heard in succession one after another right here. I've been a big admirer of Brian Medlin when I first heard him as a drummer for Person L, and was immediately impressed with his musicianship when I heard his solo work that was the subject of an Artist Spotlight feature here on the blog last year, and I was equally impressed with his ability to wear multiple hats at the same time with being both a drummer and a singer-songwriter at the same time that shows to me that he has his presence known at multiple points of entry during the creative process, and reveals a deeply committed and passionate individual dedicated to his craft.
To sum it all up, a terrific and well planned debut effort from Brian Medlin & The Elk Band, who have crafted a simple and straightforward collection of works that show a group who know what they want to sound like going in, and the results of their labor are eloquently shown right here.
Album Score: 4/5
Track Listing:
- Ghost Called Love
- Put It On
- Steady My Love
- Beacon of Light
- Living Tribute
- Sink or Swim
- Best You Can Do
- Loveless
- Making a Change
- Last Domino
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