A Warm Blend of Folk and Rock from Chris Ahlman
- BuzzSlayers
- 3 minutes ago
- 3 min read
A new album from Chris Ahlman delivers a wonderfully woven set of songs that are based around a folk-rock soundscape, with warm tones coming from the instruments and stories to tell.
I think this is one of my favorite aspects of the record as a whole. The lyrics can be very honest and, a lot of times, from a personal perspective, of course, but they also tell stories that draw you in.
This is a record that boasts a lot of character, which is one of the biggest things you get attached to along the way.
The album varies in terms of its songwriting and again, showcases a lot of folk and singer-songwriter undertones throughout its course, but it also has elements of classic rock, along with hints of Americana at times.
There are certain parts of songs where you can hear a little extra trying, and the guitars and some Southern feel and influence coming through here and there.
The record is called Santa Barbara Songs, and it kicks off with the track called "The Perfect Fit", which is definitely a perfect song to sort of introduce the record with, mainly because it boasts some of the staples that you're going to hear throughout a lot more of the release.
One of the things I love about this song, in particular, as it has these female backing vocals that work almost as callbacks. They really add this sort of elegant layer to the track, and it blends color and edginess damn near perfectly.
Along with acoustic and electric guitars, you also have piano as a root instrument here, and that also brings a certain kind of depth and almost cinematic backbone to the track.
Chris has a great way of growing intensity as songs unfold. This track is a perfect example of exactly that. As the song plays through, the vocals get a little more robust.
"Oh My Friend" is a very inviting track that also showcases a lot of warmth and a great blend of clean and electric guitars, great progression and Arrangement, and again a story to be told.
This track absolutely showcases some of Chris's pop sensibility when it comes to his songwriting.
He can get personal, tell stories, and write lyrics that come through with some great descriptive detail, but sounds like this also gives off that pop tonality, making the song a bit catchier and more radio-friendly.
It still has the piano along with the guitars, and live percussion that gives the track a little bit of bounce.
The drumming on the record is excellent.
The drums aren't just in the pocket, but rather add a little bit of extra liveliness to a lot of the songs.
"Slide Into Eternity" is a gorgeous track that showcases some of that southern undertone. The Americana element comes out a little bit more here, especially in the instrumentation and tones of those guitars.
There's something in the background of this track that feels very lush. It feels almost like it could be lap steel, but I don't think it is. It sort of has a swelling effect underneath everything, and it adds a lot of thickness to the song itself.
Chris has a very unique tone to his voice. It's slightly raspy and has this kind of rustic, rootsy aesthetic. It works amazingly for the songs he's performing here, especially.
He's got a unique way of showing emotion, and the record, as a whole, has loads of heart.
"I'll Be Okay" is another song that gets kind of personal. This is a song that showcases more of his ability to let a lot of inner thought come spilling out for all to soak in.
This track, to me, also has a sort of cinematic feel to it. I think it does have to do with some of the emotion that's portrayed, but it's also the way it comes through instrumentally.
I think it's amazing how he's able to create moods for the lyrics of his tracks. Each song has a bit of its own mood attached to it, along with a different story to tell.
This is an album I suggest listening to all the way through, in one shot.
It's a record that isn't exactly a concept album, per se, but songs feel like they interconnect almost like chapters in a book or diary entries.
You wouldn't skip chapters in a book, so I wouldn't suggest skipping songs on this record either.
The whole thing has a lot to soak in, but again, it's got heart, and it's got character.
These are the elements of the release that stay with you after it has ended.
So, take a deep dive into this record, and remember where you heard it first.
Comments