Bounty628's Full Review: Available Light [Digipak] * by Willy Porter
Having released his first album in 1990, in late 2005 it became time for Willy Porter to release a new album to show that even after 15 years, Porter still has it. After a series of successful albums launched Porter's career, in 2005 it became time for the musician to step up and produce an album that would bring his career to a whole new echelon. What transpired was Porter entering the recording studio and compiling ten amazing tracks arranged perfectly and forming the album Available Light .
Musically, Available Light is an important album for Porter. The album represents a sort of reincarnation of his musical abilities focusing significantly on what made his first album, The Trees Have Soul such a dynamic breakthrough album. This album draws Porter back to the roots of his music: solid songwriting mixed to dynamic guitar sounds. It is an interesting way to see how Porter has developed himself into a premier musician when a sort of full circle approach is taken.
The band accompanying Willy Porter include Dave Adler (piano, organ, drum programming), Steve Kleiber (bass guitar) and Dave Schoepke (drums).
The album wastes no time bringing the listener into the musical strengths of Porter. The title track, Available Light , is perfectly placed as the first track on the album and serves to simply whet the appetite of the listener. A nicely resonating guitar sound plays methodically in the background as the lyrics and vocals of Porter catch the listener's ear immediately. A slow and airy feel to the track turns quite quickly into a much more rock sound simply to again be slowed back down to the whispering winds of the guitar melody.
Still Doing Time has a unique piano backing that makes the track remarkably similar to a traditional Coldplay song. With a much more mellow and somber musical feel to the track than most of the rest of the album, the vocals almost take on an instrumental feel of their own because there are plenty of times throughout the song that you simply feel as though everything is so perfectly matched that there simply could not be any vocal paring to the piano and drum sounds throughout the track. The track is masterfully crafted into perhaps the best on the album.
Because of some different variations found on the track, Reveal happens to be one of the top tracks of the album, as well. Reveal maintains a far more traditional rock feel to it, one that is perhaps reminiscent of the late Coby Brown Group. The track has a cohesive and well developed sound that is not lacking in any area. With a perfect meshing of all instrumental sounds to both the lyrics and vocals of Porter, this track is an amazing musical creation.
Because it simply cannot be left out, One More September deserves much credit. Although likely not written for praise and plaudits, One More September is written by Porter as if it is being sung by a daughter to her mother, whom she lost in the terrorist attacks of September 11th. The track is a beautiful homage track structured in a musically unique and different way. The song focuses on the pain and changes brought upon all of us, whether directly or indirectly affected by September 11th. "One more September, has come and gone, we're one year older, yet still five years too young," sings Porter.
Track Listing:
1. Available Light
2. Loose Gravel
3. Still Doing Time
4. Set Yourself Free
5. Sleepy Little
6. Reveal
7. Me & My Old Man
8. Hairball
9. One More September
10. Where Are My Keys
Willy Porter has over the past 17 years created some amazing music. But perhaps it is his most recent album that could be considered one of his best. Available Light has an amazing focus on providing the listener with music that is not only fun to listen to but is so masterfully created that musically it serves as a lesson plan for other singer/songwriters to learn from. Each track on the album is an impressive glimpse into the musical world of Willy Porter, but more importantly, is an even more impressive look at what it takes to be one of the premier singer/songwriters out there right now.
Available Light is on the Weasel Records label. The album was produced by Willy Porter and Dave Adler and was recorded at Engine Room Studios in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
For more information about Willy Porter, check out his website at www.willyporter.com.
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