Somewhere In Middle America
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
Listen to Somewhere In Middle America
A Missouri native who headed to Nashville to make his mark in the world of music, the highly talented Kenny Foster brings pedal steel and banjos to his timeless singer-songwriter formula that is autobiographically about his journey chasing his songwriting dreams.
Foster places the title track in the lead off position, where his smooth and flowing voice is complemented by warm acoustic guitar and a charming dreaminess, and “Poor Kids” follows with a fuller approach of thumping drums amid a lush version of Americana that embraces some twang, too.
Further down the line, the glowing pedal steel of “Dreams Change” helps lay the foundation for a sublime intimacy that sounds right home in Tennessee with its country spirit, while “For What It’s Worth” strips the setting back with Foster’s expressive pipes front and center alongside strategic banjo that builds into a soaring, rootsy delivery.
Close to the end, “Find The Others” brings both beauty and grit to the folk-friendly landscape that’s quite poetic, and “The Same” follows with a very eloquent and stirring quality, much like what comprises the entire listen.
Though this is often a slow burning affair, Foster is also capable of power chords, and his complicated relationship with his hometown inspires his song craft that’s acutely personal and highly relatable to anyone following their dreams.
Travels well with: Bo Armstrong- Where We Are; John Fusco And The X-Road Riders- John The Revelator