Keeping it simple and writing good music go hand in hand quite a lot.The guitars, drums, vocals, and other instruments on this album speakthat rule clearly and demonstrate that excellent music doesn't alwayshave to be radically new or different. Mike Fellows writes rock musicwith just a bit of folk and country influence. His guitar picking andharmonica playing is simple and structured around smooth songstructures fronted by a broad and gentle voice. Bits of piano andelectronic drums highlight this otherwise straightforward attempt atwriting a good album. There's no flashy production, no outrageousarrangements that call for ten-plus instruments to flood the mixsimultaneously, and, most importantly, there isn't an air ofpretentiousness surrounding anything Fellows has to say. All of hislyrics recall stories told on the front porch with a cold one in handand a beautiful, moonlit sky up above. So what is left if there isn'tany of the extra stuff mentioned above? All that's left is really allthat matters: good song-writing and a clear sense of direction. WhileFellows never draws his voice out like some famous country croonersmight, his instrumentation is clearly a throwback to when country androck weren't opposites at all. This love for acoustic instrumentation,easy rhythms, and clear, distinct melodies could've gone terribly wrongif it weren't for the fact that Fellows never lets a strong stray toofar away from its origins and never bothers trying to extend songsbeyond their proper range. Limited Storyline Guestis just over a half-hour in length and of its nine songs, only threebreak the four-minute mark (and just barely at that). The songs openstrong and stay strong from start to finish, expanding on the themesthat Fellows open them with. Besides all of this, the songs are simplygorgeous and have a whimsical edge to them that makes them all the moreattractive. "Way I Love" and "AM" have, in particular, unforgettablemelodies that have stuck in my head since I first played the CD. Imight be able to chalk my appreciation of this album up to nostalgia,but repeated listens have proven that the songs can stand repeatedlistens and, in most cases, the tunes become stronger after being givena few chances. There's not a bad song on the album and after awhileFellows' voice becomes one of the most addictive elements of the album.I'm going to take this outside with me and play it while I watch theworld go by. It's a good relaxing album with no extras added because noextras are needed. Read More
