The Bottom Line
Pros
- "Hartfordtown 1944"
- "Seeds of Peace"
- "Imaginary Wars"
Cons
- A lot of hits and misses.
Description
- Mark Erelli comes back with an intuitive sense of musical narration.
- Unfortunately as many misses as there are hits.
- More collaboration with Catie Curtis.
Guide Review - Mark Erelli - Hope and Other Casualties
Maybe Mark Erelli needs an audience to vibe off of. I totally understand that, because I'm the same way. Recording can be a real drag, and always feels like there's something missing when you listen to the final track.Erelli has his moments on this, his fifth studio album to date. Songs like "Seeds of Peace" and "Imaginary Wars" have some serious promise. And, in fact, seeing Erelli perform them live solidifed my still waffling sense that these two songs may actually be really good.
Aside from that, there are several of misses on the record. "Snowed In" probably started as a good idea, and even this tune that made me giggle a bit when I heard it on the record was better served live. "God Loves Everyone," a well-meaning tribute to global human equality, comes across as a song that would have a better place on a children's record than one that's so clearly geared for intellectual adults.
The album's opener, "Here & Now," Erelli co-wrote with the acclaimed songwriter Catie Curtis, and her glowing influence on the song's structure is clear. Another shining moment comes with the narrative and historically relevant true story of "Hartfordtown 1944." Erelli makes it clear that he's absolutely capable of knocking you silly with his ability to piece together lyrics and melody.
It's just a shame he couldn't make it happen for all eleven tracks.
Listen/Download Hope & Other Casualties
