Corey
Abell – Rainwater Youth (Independent)
From Vancouver, British Columbia, singer-songwriter
Corey Abell inhibits a musical space where various genres intersect, and it’s
that cross-spectrum of styles – pop, folk, soul, rock, jazz - that helps make
“Rainwater Youth” such a worthwhile listen. The final additions to the equation
are Abell’s engaging vocal style and the quality of his songwriting. The result
is an album you’ll potentially want to spend considerable time with.
For an independently released debut album, Abell has
fashioned a collection that’s both assured and confident. It’s also lyrically
rich, with no shortage of fine pop moments or easy, conversational flights. His
voice is jazzy, honeyed and relaxed, and on opening cut “Kids First” he keeps
things simple, with the buzz of his guitar strings emphasizing the back to
basics approach. Even with minimal instrumentation – for the first part, anyway
– it remain a remarkably fulsome sound, and when drums, keys, brass, etc.
arrives on the scene, it erupts into a massive, messy high.
“Salene” tempers the onslaught, its electronica
blending sweetly with Abell’s gentler, acoustic side, and it’s followed by the
title track, which is beautifully woozy and laden with echo and half-heard
intrigue. On “Georgie, Where Are You Georgie?” a
languid strum leisurely moves the song forward, but its lazy countenance does
little to disguise a first-rate number.
Phil S.
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