Written
by Daniel Boyer, posted by blog admin
As
the title track to this 5-cut EP crashes into its first peppy snare beat and
the swinging southern-fried acoustic gravy rolls over top of a swaying bass
line, it becomes instantly clear that New Jersey singer/songwriter/guitarist
Michael Askin is firing on all cylinders.
Primarily a guitarist, Askin found himself in the role of a solo artist
when he decided that he wanted to express his musical interests in a more
in-depth way. He played in the bands
Divine Sign and My State of Attraction but mainly as lead guitarist. Now he finds himself as not only lead
guitarist but lead vocalist, bassist, drummer, organist, composer and arranger
on Road by the River; the third in a
series of EPs he’s been releasing since 2013.
Eschewing
fancy playing for multifaceted instrumental layering, acoustic/electric texture
balance and utilizing keys/organ where it’s needed most, the entirety of the
music on Down by the River is
exciting and engaging. “Nashville” dials
down the twitchy rhythms and high-speed acoustic guitars of the opening track
for a stalwart, bluesy churn that wavers between slow and mid-tempo
timekeeping. The distant hum of synths
color in the background alongside slight electric riffs and a largely acoustic
groove that rocks as hard as it smoothly rolls.
All throughout Askin’s unassuming but strong vocal timbre harnesses a
downplayed blues vibe that’s all about contagious melodies and occasional
2-part harmonies. Slide guitar only
heightens the melodic stakes on the table and if this track cuts and deals the
deck, “Sun Going Down” wins the game with gusto…”house rules’” style! Crumbling, heavy blues rock riffs and
smoke-cured vocal grain are offset by a humming organ/keyboard support system
that adds yet another layer to the arid, open acoustic guitar chords and gnarly
electric grooves. Askin holds down the
rhythm end with forlorn blues beats that tell a story while ensuring that
drumming doesn’t overtake the guitar. He
takes the same approach in terms of the bass’ numerous stops/starts and
half-step pacing.
Combing
the melodic folk country of the title track opener with the chunky, dense blues
of “Sun Going Down,” “Hard to Make a Living” contains just the right amount of
rock n’ roll alongside it’s bristling acoustic swerves and church organ enrichment. One of Michael’s catchiest, hookiest vocal
melodies appears in the chorus of this journeyman tune (which describes the
life of a touring musician trying to cut their teeth on
the road). Rounding out the EP, “Last
Train” wanders in on the same type of country kickin’ folk that The Byrds or
even the Guthries pioneered although Askin shakes up the mix with keyboard
oscillations that incrementally raise the volume until things reach a noisy,
Pink Floyd sort of progressive climax.
Road by the
River
has nary a dull moment or wasted note in its short, 20 minute running
time. Askin excels at the blues, is a
capable rock n’ roller, tender folk traveler and just about anything else you
can imagine as a songwriter and a player.
This record is uplifting and flat out rocks. It’s easily the strongest of his 3 EP efforts
to date and should be a favorite for old fans and newcomers alike.
