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June 17, 2007
Who’s Next?: A Music Review e-zine
Los Angeles,
CA
Reviewed by Greg Abate
I'm 25 years old; I live in L.A. ; I grew up listening to the sounds of Guns n' Roses, Tupac Shakur and Nirvana and I had some doubts as to whether or not I'd like Doug Spears. My doubts are gone. I love Doug Spears. Yes Doug Spears, the guy from little known Leesburg, Fl and yes, the guy who has garnered all the buzz in the folk music world with his sophmore album "Break Some Stones".
It was today while I was stuck in typical Southern California traffic, going absolutely no where along with 5 million other people when I realized that Doug Spears is destined for folk history.
Normally it's right around the first hour of the constant stopping and going, the horns, the idling and the 8 mile an hour progression when I begin to lose my mind but not today. No, I wasn't sucked into a fit of road rage like everyone else around me because today I listened to Doug Spears critically acclaimed album "Break Some Stones" the whole ride home and it transported me to the world of folk music where great story tellers can bring you so far into their music and the story that you forget the rat race - Doug Spears takes away the rat race away and replaces it with folk soul.
The lyrics I chose to share with you are:
You gotta break some stones to get the water to flow,
Out of that river runnin’ deep below,
Ain’t nothin’ comes easy if its worth your time,
You’re gonna damned sure regret it if you don’t even try.
As far as lyrics, I'm sorry - it just doesn't get any better than Doug Spears. He is a poet! I could put these lyrics onto my office wall and they would exist in their own right, even without the great music that supports them. Deep, powerful, emotional lyrics like that from his titled track "Break Some Stones" is why, when it comes to reaching the heart of a nation, Doug Spears will encounter no boundaries.
"Break Some Stones" is a perfect reflection of the entire 18 song album in that it shows off the brilliance that this gifted artist has as a singer and songwriter. He covers every emotional and universal landscape in a way that is still entertaining and easy to listen to. He masters the hook and chorus formula with tunes that stay with you long after you have heard them.
"Break Some Stones" cut right through me and had me thinking of my own missed opportunities in life and unraveled the deep rooted melancholy that is a part of all our pasts. In essence, Doug has managed to break the universal stone that opens our souls without shattering it. Instead, we just sigh. Best way to describe his songs - they are complete.
If I had one piece of advice, it would be to produce the songs. Doug does well with the straight-forward guitar playing and acoustic sounds, but a little production could go a long way in making these songs radio-ready.
When I finally reached my drive-way, ironically the last track on the album, "How'd You Know" was playing. Normally when I reach my drive-way after sitting in two hours in LA traffic I jump out of my car like an action star and I'm sprinting to my door like an Olympian just to get the car and the day off my skin, but today was different. I just sat there and let the sounds of Doug Spears usher me home.
Rating = 5
Outstanding |
