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Blake Rainey:
Appetizer Sickness
On Appetizer Sickness, Blake Rainey walks a fine line between typical coffeehouse poet and noteworthy young songwriter. Thirteen songs make up this somewhat-impressionistic debut that while bland at times, can be both understated and affecting. With a voice that calls to mind a composed Paul Westerberg, Rainey does with feeling what he doesnt do with hooks. Metaphor for the most part is replaced by imagery, structure with loose ends (nary a chorus is to be found). Whether the songwriting suffers because of this is debatable, but theres a mood to this record thats hard to escape (a bit haunted, a bit melancholic, mostly bittersweet). Whether its a cello, an accordion, or just a guitar, instruments here act more like paintbrushes, as on Mahogany, where a pedal steel echoes softly, underlining talk of an old memory. Appetizer Blues (Off this Train) is his best song and most curious. Is he singing about suicide or a rebirth? Musically, it would have you believe the latter, as it sounds like the build-up of some lost Neil Diamond song; but listen again, and you might hear the voice of a man content with the possibilities of a better (after)life (i.e. the main course). Regardless, its a compelling song (and nice on the ears). While hes not quite yet the storyteller Jim Croce was, or even the lyricist Westerberg can be, Rainey is more often than not a formidable solo artist, who makes great use of his vocal ability. Whats nice about this record is that as low as he gets, he never sounds defeated (despite the questions raised by Appetizer Blues). Theres a sense of survival here thats rather uplifting and redeems the material. And while all of this is admirable, it would be nice to see him throw in some old-fashioned choruses on the next one.
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