Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Album Review: Earl J. Rivard - Underground Railroad

If you break out of your comfort zone once this year to listen to a new artist, let that new artist be Earl. J. Rivard. It will only take one track for him to grab you and pull you into his world. His voice is full of passion. This is a man who could sing the phone book and people would stop and listen.

When you listen to Underground Railroad, you get to experience the full range of his vocal talents. Earl sings songs from many genres—folk, blues, and pop, to name but a few. It is impossible to pick a standout track on Underground Railroad, as each track is so impressive that comparing them somehow seems wrong.

“Lady Sweet Lady” shows Earl singing a Celtic-sounding folk song. The acoustic guitar and flute arrangements on this song are particularly beautiful. When you listen to this song, you’ll feel like you’re listening to a ballad from days of old, when actually the song is one of Earl’s original compositions. In fact, all the songs on Underground Railroad are written by Earl, his father Earl Jr. or the two of them. It doesn’t take long to realize that these two men are excellent songwriters. But songs are nothing without a voice to sing them—and with Earl J. doing the honors, these songs are taken to a whole new level of beauty.

Earl’s voice is so deep and soulful that it is hard not to be moved by it, especially when he’s singing songs of love. “Yours Eternally” has a vocal that is reminiscent of Josh Groban. Earl’s voice soars as he conveys the song’s romantic message.

Turning the tables is “Sometimes Love,” a song that deals with the cooling embers of love that once burned brightly. The lyrics are a haunting reflection of how delicate love is, and how easily it can be shattered and broken if not tended to properly. When Earl sings, “Lovers need to understand, that to keep the love they’ve planned, they must learn the raging blaze to tame. For a fire can cool within the hearth or blow up in a burst of sparks,” that delicacy becomes apparent.

One of the strongest songs on the album is the title track, “Underground Railroad.” Written by Earl Jr and Earl J. Rivard III, the song is about laws that separate a child from their mother because if born in the United States, they are citizens but their mothers are not and are often sent back to their native lands, while their children can remain. The song manages to convey all the right emotions: anger, disgust, sadness. It starts with a preface that may offend some listeners, but the truth really shouldn’t offend.

The bluesy rocker “This Time Around” shows a more playful side to Earl’s music. This song has an infectious beat that calls out to everyone to get up and move. It is the least serious of the thirteen tracks that make up Underground Railroad, and it really showcases Earl’s versatility as a songwriter as well as a performer.

When you listen to “Unfinished Songs,” you instantly feel like you’re listening to a lighthearted pop tune, but give it another listen, and really listen. When you do, you’ll hear a song about the struggles of having something to say, but not being able to find the voice or words to complete the thought. The song is made even more poignant when you reach the abrupt ending.

With Underground Railroad, the world can see the many facets of Earl’s talent. You will hear the voice that will instantly capture your heart with its power and emotion. You’ll discover the songwriting ability that will impress even the harshest critics. This is one voice and one album that must be heard!

Visit Earl's website here to learn more and to watch for information on the release of Underground Railroad.

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