Jeffrey Gaines provides a look into the insecurities of life. Not so much an in-depth look that provides answers but as an observer of the things that cause us distress. But he provides qualitative approaches. And he serves it up with a brand of rock and roll that is pleasant to hear; not harsh, not forceful, but supportive and always connected.

“Toward The Sun”, Gaines fifth album is a result of a strong collaborative effort with Mitchell Froom, who allowed Jeffrey Gaines to be himself in the studio. The music is sparse and yet provides an enveloping element to the scrutiny of life that Gaines understands. While that may seem contradictive, it’s not. It’s true that the music is delivered in simplicity and measure but it also exists as a canvas for Gaines to present his words and outlook.

In "Falling Apart", a cry for the world and its damaging ways, the music is acoustically framed with a vocal tone that conjures up a sad acceptance. With that same acoustic guitar, "Beyond the Beginning" supplies a swirl of harmonies and melodic leads that musically draws you in as you absorb the focus of Gaines' expressively singular observation. This is highly felt in the aching "Love Me".

Lyrically, Gaines displays a powerful usage of words in catchy phrases that articulate his need, and ours, of love in a world gone contrary to what we require. Add to that mix, a brand of basic rock and roll and the formula generates a heat that begins in the bottom of your soul and spreads like an effective medicine dose. You can hear that heat in "Over and Over".

But there are subtleties in his music too. Listen to "To Be Free" and you can hear his small plea of what we quest with a hint of knowing the impossibility of acquiring his desire. And that's a powerful tool called connecting. When the audience hears the pain of "Without You", they connect his tone to what matters. The same can be said for much of what runs through this album of personal revelations that become ours by way of that connection.

The rock tunes on this album are bluesy and refreshingly basic. There are no chordal assaults. Nor is there any falsehood here. Jeffrey Gaines speaks his piece and we are an enrapt audience because of his quality. There are some smoking songs on this collection, such as "Life of the Living", a beautifully produced track that rock and yet is engagingly beautiful at the same time.

I've detected some nods on this disc, particularly the unreal "Together" that fuses a Paul Rodgers sounding voice with a Paul Kossoff like jam and sounds like Free and Back Street Crawler. It's a tune that you'd like to hear extend beyond its near 5 minutes. The disc closes with a gorgeous, minstrel like "Come Out Tonight" that reveres the best of early, very early Springsteen.

The album’s refreshingly airy and casual arrangements with Gaines’ raspy vocals provide an atmosphere of a small stage and the feeling that he connects directly to you. The use of the organ is so welcome in this day of 3 chord assaults that it disarms you or brings a smile to your face. You've missed this style of music. Bringing to mind late 60s/ early 70s rock in the vein of The Band and Clapton, his music can draw you in and endear you for a lifetime.

You won't be sorry if you pick this gem up.

Search Tour Database by: Artist City Venue

Jeffrey Gaines
Toward The Sun

Released: February 11, 2003
Origination Year: 2003
Time: 45:01
Tracks: 11
Produced by: Mitchell Froom & Jeffrey Gaines
Engineered by: John Paterno
Mixed by: John Paterno
Mastered by: Bob Ludwig /Gateway Mastering
Style: Studio
Format: CD
Enhancement: None
Label: Artemis Records
Website:
www.jeffreygaines.com

Falling Apart
Beyond The Beginning
Over and Over
To Be Free
Without You
In This Lifetime
Life of the Living
Love Me
Our Lie
Together
Come Out Tonight