Written
by Raymond Burris, posted by blog admin
Formerly
a force in the New Jersey rock scene and a member of the bands Divine Sign and
My State of Attraction, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumental maestro Michael
Askin set off on his own in 2013 with his debut solo EP Single Step and has never looked back since. 2015 brought with it the extraordinary
sophomore release, Ignore the Evidence,
which did not hint at any signs of a slump and with Askin’s latest and greatest
third EP Road by the River, we find Michael settling into his style for the
long haul. He sounds comfortable in his
writing, playing and vocal delivery; the EP’s 5 tracks each creating and
coloring in very individualistic mini-worlds that can live and survive within
in their own self-sustaining contexts.
The
opening couplet formed by the title track and “Nashville” showcase a sound
steeped in folk but mixed with country and blues spices that are about as
authentically played as these styles get.
They are certainly the kind of influences that are missing from the more
popular country/folks artists these days…that’s for certain. Breezy, skyward vocals with nice 2-part
harmonies unfold over soulful acoustic guitars and slight percussion
brushstrokes that complement the sound but never overtake the guitar/vocal/keyboard
work (this trio being the centerpiece of Michael Askin’s dynamic sound). Keys and organs a touch of blues-soaked ol’
glory to Askin’s aural constructions while electric guitar interjects
counterpoint musical discussion to the acoustics, Michael’s voice softly soars
over the well-layered instrumentation and slide/steel licks deeply entrench the
atmosphere in southern-soul home cookin’. The crumbling power chords riffs and crashing
heft of the mid-tempo breadbasket beating heard on “Sun Going Down” launches
Askin’s songwriting into near heavy hard rock mode. Acoustic guitars style ply shimmering folk
hooks alongside the baroque bluesy organ playing but overall a deadlier sonic
blow is dealt here…the distorted riffing stepping out from a backing, backdrop
enriching buzz to a full on sledgehammer driving home crushing hits that
enliven the melodic bits and send the EP off on a somewhat different course. “Hard to Make a
Living” works well as a companion piece to “Sun Going Down” while splitting the
difference between that track’s nail-biting blues down strokes and the gospel
folk of the title track’s lead-in. Again
sparsely notated organ hums and sweet acoustics are harvest by the bushel as
the electric riffing provides a granite carved backbone to the brilliant
melodies that Askin’s vocals and instrumentation weave. A country twang swirls throughout the
overcast skies of closer “Last Train’s” haunting melodies and world-worn vocals
as it ascends to an endnote that splices together several different keyboard
melodies into an awe-inspiring, breathtaking finale viewed from a mountainous
musical summit that utilizes a similar ideal towards layering that a movie
score instrumental does.
Overall,
Road by the River excels in every
area. Askin’s lyrics paint vivid
pictures of love, life, loss and triumph while the instrumentation ably and
easily matches his words and vocal dynamics.
Immaculately produced and mixed so that every instrument stands out and
each tracks flows seamlessly into the next, Road
by the River is best experienced as a first to last track listen with
headphones keeping disturbances at bay.
One can only wonder what direction Michael Askin will take on his next
EP. While it’s too early to tell how
he’ll progress his sound next, I think it’s safe to say that fans and newcomers
to his music can expect another collection of expertly penned, played and
produced tunes.
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