After hearing Witmer's 'Are You A Dreamer,' I delved into his older stuff and became an avid fan. His next album, Carry the Weight, while upbeat and produced with a crisp rhythm section, and bearing several gems, wasn't up to par with Are you A Dreamer. When hearing that Witmer was putting out a new album on Matthew Hoopes' label, Mono Vs. Stereo, I was fairly mystified. Partly due to Hoopes' writing of pop-rock songs in Relient K, party because after viewing the tracklist, I noticed Witmer was including several songs previously released from Carry the Weight. Even if they were re-recorded, I worried the album might be an assemblage of scraps and leftovers. Nonetheless, I preordered, because any Witmer album is still a good album.
What I wasn't expecting from this album was a set of songs that would outdo much of Denison's back catalogue; this album is premium Witmer. The production is as crisp and clear as ever, but there seems to be a return to some classic elements of his older albums. I'd say the album is a cross between his two best albums, Safe Away (first official album) and Are You A Dreamer? The acoustic guitars are usually deviously simple and stamped against a backdrop of gentle ambience reminiscent of Denison's work with Don Peris (Innocence Mission). Sonically, the minimal layers leaves a lot of space in the songs for the listener to reflect and focus on Denison's words; the songs are simple and uncluttered but still stand alone and together as classic, unfettered Denison. Even the songs that previously appeared on Carry the Weight, were re-envisioned and re-recorded and sound incredible in their new incarnation. I'm not generally into re-recordings myself, but these tracks are quite justified.
Lyrically, Denison is as reflective as ever. Much of the album touches on the death of Denison's father several year ago. Longing, questioning, friendships and even the throwing up of both hands in defeat feature on the album. Though this album is no more cheery than his other work, hope shines through in the reflection of friendships and loved ones and trips to Europe.
This is not just another decent Denison album. This one's top-notch: lyrically, musically and production-wise. Recommended if you like Are You A Dreamer? or Safe Away, or if you like Denison Witmer at all. OK, I've said enough. I recommend you begin by checking out any of these tracks: Hold On, Life Before Aesthetics, Light On My Face, Two and a Glass Rose, and I Live In Your Ghost.
After hearing Witmer's 'Are You A Dreamer,' I delved into his stuff and became an avid fan. His next album, Carry the Weight, while upbeat and produced with a crisp rhythm section, and bearing several gems, wasn't up to par with Are you A Dreamer. When hearing that Witmer was putting out a new album on Matthew Hoopes' label, Mono Vs. Stereo, I was fairly mystified. Partly due to Hoopes' writing of pop-rock songs in Relient K, party because after viewing the tracklist, I noticed Witmer was including several songs previously released from Carry the Weight. Even if they were re-recorded, I worried the album might be an assemblage of scraps and leftovers. Nonetheless, I preordered, because any Witmer album is still a good album.
What I wasn't expecting from this album was a set of songs that would outdo much of Denison's back catalogue; this album is premium Witmer. The production is as crisp and clear as ever, but there seems to be a return to some classic elements of his older albums. I'd say the album is a cross between his two best albums, Safe Away (first official album) and Are You A Dreamer? The acoustic guitars are usually deviously simple and stamped against a backdrop of gentle ambiance reminiscent of Denison's work with Don Peris (Innocence Mission). Sonically, the minimal layers leaves a lot of space in the songs for the listener to reflect and focus on Denison's words; the songs are simple and uncluttered but still stand alone and together as classic, unfettered Denison. Even the songs that previously appeared on Carry the Weight, were re-envisioned and re-recorded and sound incredible in their new incarnation. I'm not generally into re-recordings myself, but these tracks are quite justified.
Lyrically, Denison is as reflective as ever. Much of the album touches on the death of Denison's father several year ago. Longing, questioning, friendships and even the throwing up of both hands in defeat feature on the album. Though this album is no more cheery than his other work, hope shines through in the reflection of friendships and loved ones and trips to Europe.
This is not just another decent Denison album. This one's top-notch: lyrically, musically and production-wise. Recommended if you like Are You A Dreamer? or Safe Away, or if you like Denison Witmer at all. OK, I've said enough. I recommend you begin by checking out any of these tracks: Hold On, Life Before Aesthetics, Light On My Face, Two and a Glass Rose, and I Live In Your Ghost.