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Folk, singer-songwriter.

If the name Jeff Cramer seems familiar, it’s because we featured his single “Ravens” recently. That track is the reason I was eager to dig into a full review of this talented artist. Cramer’s songwriting has a cool acoustic guitar element followed by sincere vocals that convey meaningful messages. Fans of acoustic folk music will find a lot to like from this talented artist.

The opening song is “As I Am,” which feels like a declaration for new listeners of Cramer’s music. But it’s the second track, “Ravens,” the aforementioned lead single that really pulled me in to the album. The opening guitar lick is really strong, but Cramer’s style feels a lot like a James Taylor vibe. The approachable and accessible lyrics are wonderful, but the vocal harmonies make this song go from good to great. It’s honestly the kind of song that I wish I could share more broadly; it’s deserving of a massive audience. Fans of Taylor and Jackson Browne would really like this tune.

“Lost in the Catacombs” has a nice storytelling ethos to it. The instrumentation feels like a light rock style, allowing the vocal to cut through. Similarly, “Misunderstood” has a cool rock style to it as well. Using a bit more of an experimental style, the song leans on unconventional chord progressions to pull the listener out of the typical singsong folk style. The following “Lover” has more of an atmospheric vibe to it, allowing listeners to dream a little bit more. If you’ve ever felt the dreamy state of being with a lover, this song will certainly be something you can feel.

“Midnight Train” brings things back to more familiar territory with more of a country style of chord and narrative style. I really appreciate the phrasing on this one, more like the style from “Ravens.” The bold phrasing decisions on this one are much more conventional; once the rhythm picks up the song fits in with the longstanding country tradition of train songs. It puts a smile on my face with every listen.

“Gravity” has some wonderful expressive guitar licks in the opening. It’s got a combination of mystery and increased pace that’s going to appeal to some listeners. “Remember Me” is a piano anthem that goes in a slightly different direction than the rest of the album. It’s got a narrative style that’s sure to stand out for fans of piano-driven pop music. The acoustic walkup at the beginning of “Jordan” reminds me of “Blackbird” by the Beatles. It’s a cool acoustic song with a light hearted element to it that makes it connect much more for me personally; the funny thing is that the song is about “running” since he was born. It’s ultimately a pretty heavy lyrical theme conveyed with a light acoustic melody. It’s a good song.

The whole album brings forth a delightful folk singer songwriter aspect to it. Of course by personal preference I would applaud some more than others, but I think the eclectic mix here is a strength rather than a weakness. It brings a little something for everyone.

Tracks:
01. As I Am
02. Ravens
03. Lost in the Catacombs
04. Misunderstood
05. Lover
06. Rest Your Head
07. Midnight Train
08. Underneath
09. Gravity
10. The Fighting
11. Studio Lights
12. Remember Me
13. Jordan
14. Colors
15. New Day (She Said)
16. Memories

Staat er compleet op, 10% pars mee gepost. Met zeer veel dank aan de originele poster. Laat af en toe eens weten wat je van het album vindt. Altijd leuk, de mening van anderen. Oh ja, MP3 doe ik niet aan.