Customer Reviews

Hope & Other Casualties

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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The evolution of Mark Erelli continues with his fifth album since his amazing 2001 debut, and like the previous four, Hope & Other Casualties is worth the price of admission. His talent continues to grow both as a musician and as a songwriter, delivering lyrics and songs that tell stories that capture your attention and pull you in. This CD is perfectly produced by Mark and Lorne Entress, his long time collaborator, with a mix of songs that are varied but all tie together perfectly. "Here and Now" is an up-tempo opener that asks an important question for all to ponder, and ends with Ron Sexsmith's "God Loves Everyone", a fitting closer. "The Only Way", a post 9-11 song that has been a fan favorite at live shows now has a perfect home as part of a wonderful song collection that includes a song about a circus and others that talk to the circus that is today's world. Like the great singer/songwriters of the past 40 years, Mark can make a political point as well as any of them, yet he does it without offending folks who might lean toward the other side. Mark is one of today's best talents who deserves more attention than he's getting, so buy this CD now and then gather up your friends the next time he's in your area and see one of his great live shows.

With Hope and Other Casualties, Mark Erelli has taken his already impressive song writing skills and fine musical sensibilities to a new level. The CD's cover calls back to the great Bob Dylan album, The Times, They are a Changing. This may seem overly dramatic, but listen to Hope before you form an opinion. As Bob was speaking to the times in which America lived then, Mark is speaking to us--right now. Hope and Other Casualties is filled with morsels (and slabs) of wisdom on the America in which we now find ourselves. While not a complete departure for Mark, Hope shows that, when it seems we may not be grasping the greater truths, he will speak with more authority.

There is so often a pattern with artists, where they start with something strong (or fun or catchy) and then seem to get lost--as if they become distracted or loose their vision. This has never been a problem for Mark. From his first CD (Mark Erelli), he has demonstrated a great ability to write intelligent, yet accessible songs and perform them very well in several different styles. That first disc almost sounds like a job resume, to me--a demonstration of the diverse ways in which Mark can make music. But, where some other artists seem to get lost, Mark's subsequent recordings have become more refined--more wise--even though the styles have varied. This does not mean his earlier work was un-polished. Rather, he is sounding more comfortable with himself and his music. Mark's first CD was VERY strong. But, he just gets better with each new effort. And, the staggering statement made by Hope and Other Casualties is more than just its songs. Mark's songs are like paintings. But, his recordings are like sculptures. This may not be apparent on the first listen. But, if you actually spend some time with it, you will hear the great care and intelligence that went into every instrumental sound. Each song will begin to evolve in your mind and become a complete space of its own--the space where his stories live. Hope and Other Casualties is much more than just a recording of great music. Mark's music is truly great, even to just read. But, as a complete work, Hope and Other Casualties is great art.

Hope and Other Casualties shows that Mark is not just another gifted singer/songwriter. It is becoming clear that he is one of the very finest songwriters we have. In 20-30 years, he will be compared with the very greatest writers of American music, period. Like Bob's "Times" masterpiece, Mark's "Hope" should be a watershed. This is a significant musical work and deserves the highest respect given to any artist.

A little left leaning for this conservative guy. I don't share his views but I love his telling of them.

After one listen: Good songs all-round. A very polished sound, especially on the first few tracks. Erelli plays guitar, harmonica and mandolin among others. Producer Entress plays rhythm section and more. The accompaniment is a little distant on some of the tracks, sort of a Lo-Fi, fat sound on the drums, and the bass is quite prominent. On purpose, I'm sure. And it mostly works well. The music might have a little more energy with a real band.

Erelli's voice is highly inflected without being too emotive, like a New England hillbilly. He is a more interesting songwriter than you'll hear on a typical country-folk release. And the chord changes are non-obvious and, on the best songs, imaginative and beguiling. Some of the songs start and end smoldering, working up to a more intense burn in the middle. They seem to wander quite a bit before resolving. The main themes seem to be alienation from grown-up life and...the city-state at war. The singing is at once sad and plaintive, and also strangely cheerful.

My only criticism is a lack of contrast. I think he should put in a deliberately VERY sad song in there...and a very happy one. A fast, loud one, and a slow, quiet one. And a little standard blues. As it is, the overall moods and dynamics of each track are sometimes not quite as distinctive as they could be. And he could work on the chord progressions just a little.
(I have the same issue with the hugely over-rated Bob Dylan. I'm sure Erelli would consider that criticism to be high praise, since some of this music echoes Dylan.)

I also would like to hear Erelli sing and play guitar to a Conga or Bongo accompaniment for just one track. But that's just me.