Top Ten Albums of 2012 - #6
Charlie Winston's Running Still
Editor's Note: This is the 5th in a quasi-weekly series of reviews marking my favorite ten albums of 2012. The 10th edition is wrapped into the larger year-end post I call "The Ho Media Awards", which will be published just after the new year. Stay tuned!
After landing 2010's Discovery Artist of the Year Award, I naturally had high hopes for Mr. Winston. And I'm sure he will be happy to know that he did not fail to amaze with Running Still. You're welcome, Charles.
"Hello Alone" is a great bridge from the last album, which is good, because "Speak To Me" comes out of left field and - on first listen - made me wonder if he'd decided to completely change his style. It's happened before. Witness "Mischifus," the impossible-to-find-on-disc collection of tunes he wrote for a one man theater production. It's an odd album of sonic knick-knacks that didn't really suggest what we would here on Make Way / Hobo (depending on which one you call his first album).
Also as with Hobo, I was so transfixed by the first half of the album that I tended to ignore the second half. But at some point I really listened to the whole thing all the way through and said "Wow, the second half isn't weak at all. I just wasn't paying enough attention." It really is a study in his evolution, though. The first six or so take us from the piano / acoustic groove we've become accustomed to and adds the beginnings of the edge we hear in the second half. Yes, the same guy who sang of a girl's beautiful smile...
...also tells us that the smile isn't the only thing he's got his mind on.
Until you’re satisfied
Only way to do it
Really nothing to it, no, no.
Until you’re satisfied
All about the rhythm
Knowing you’ve been given the time
To close the album, he makes sure to let us know he hasn't forgotten that his roots are found in the melancholy strains of the musical aether. "Lift My Gently" is downright chilling and just another hallmark of one of today's most talented singer-songwriters.
Album Highlights: This is the first album to get the "inherent awesomeness" tag of the year, meaning the whole album is fantastic. The link to the CD is at the top. For individual morsels, try Hello Alone, Where Can I Buy Happiness?, She Went Quietly, Making Yourself So Lonely, and Summertime Here All Year.
After landing 2010's Discovery Artist of the Year Award, I naturally had high hopes for Mr. Winston. And I'm sure he will be happy to know that he did not fail to amaze with Running Still. You're welcome, Charles.
"Hello Alone" is a great bridge from the last album, which is good, because "Speak To Me" comes out of left field and - on first listen - made me wonder if he'd decided to completely change his style. It's happened before. Witness "Mischifus," the impossible-to-find-on-disc collection of tunes he wrote for a one man theater production. It's an odd album of sonic knick-knacks that didn't really suggest what we would here on Make Way / Hobo (depending on which one you call his first album).
Also as with Hobo, I was so transfixed by the first half of the album that I tended to ignore the second half. But at some point I really listened to the whole thing all the way through and said "Wow, the second half isn't weak at all. I just wasn't paying enough attention." It really is a study in his evolution, though. The first six or so take us from the piano / acoustic groove we've become accustomed to and adds the beginnings of the edge we hear in the second half. Yes, the same guy who sang of a girl's beautiful smile...
...also tells us that the smile isn't the only thing he's got his mind on.
Only way to do it
Really nothing to it, no, no.
Until you’re satisfied
All about the rhythm
Knowing you’ve been given the time
To close the album, he makes sure to let us know he hasn't forgotten that his roots are found in the melancholy strains of the musical aether. "Lift My Gently" is downright chilling and just another hallmark of one of today's most talented singer-songwriters.
Album Highlights: This is the first album to get the "inherent awesomeness" tag of the year, meaning the whole album is fantastic. The link to the CD is at the top. For individual morsels, try Hello Alone, Where Can I Buy Happiness?, She Went Quietly, Making Yourself So Lonely, and Summertime Here All Year.
Comments