by Audra Schroeder
Fond du Lac (Trampa)
Adam Ahrens' voice is instantly familiar, a molasses mixture of Bill Callahan and Leonard Cohen. That's apparent within the first three songs
of his sophomore CD, a more layered, exotic affair than the former Wisconsinite's finger-picked debut. "Soldier's Pay" tells a Cohen story under
jazzy horns (courtesy of Michael Ramos), and the delicate "Weaverfinch" strums and picks under a Callahan-esque drawl, deep and smoky as he
sings a love song to a bird. Ahrens comes into his own on lullaby "It's Not Just Stars," organ-driven gospel ballad "Worthy Hands" with
guest vocalist Dana Falconberry, and the waltz-speed "Second Hand Wings," which explodes under Ramos' cumbia horns.
Fond du Lac's a
welcoming mix of folk and blues, and he's a decent storyteller, but it feels like Ahrens is still reaching for something more, a worldly sound
that's just starting to form.
- January 2, 2009 - Greg Beets
- 1) White Denim, Exposion (Transmission Entertainment)
- 2) Alejandro Escovedo, Real Animal (Back Porch/Manhattan/EMI)
- 3) Future Clouds & Radar, Peoria (The Star Apple Kingdom)
- 4) The Krayolas, La Conquistadora (Box)
- 5) Gretchen Phillips, I Was Just Comforting Her (Seasick Sailor)
- 6) Fluoxetine, Two Weeks & Holidays
- 7) Shootin' Pains, Pray Like Crazy
- 8) Adam Ahrens, Fond du Lac (Trampa)
- 9) Alexander's Dark Band, Music to Stand by the Fireplace To
- 10) The Devil Bat, Lingers Like a Ghost (Sister Skull)
Guitar hounds will be interested in Adam Ahrens' self-titled
debut on Trampa. His expansive repertoire of acoustic finger
style guitar and Hawaiian slack key leads to down-home blues,
John Fahey-like explorations and subdued singer
songwriter introspection.
Jim Caligiuri
Austin Chronicle
