Unbecoming
American Dreams, 2020
8/10
Even though the Chicago resident Eli Winter is just 23 years old, the musician and songwriter already has a wealth of experience under his belt, and this sophomore album might be his most adventurous work yet, where just 3 tracks comprise the experimental folk listen where several different guitars are explored with much depth.
The album leads with the nearly 23 minutes of “Either I Would Become Ash”, where exploratory acoustic strumming guides a very careful solo piece as Winter shifts from soft and strategically spaced out to quicker, hypnotic moments of sophisticated melody.
“Maroon” follows and brings pedal steel from Sam Wagster, Tyler Damon on drums, and Cameron Knowler on guitar into the warm formula that’s immediately memorable and dances around an Americana feeling with much grace. “Dark Light” exits the listen, and it’s a live track where a bare and raw quality enter the intricate delivery as Winter uses an electric baritone and manipulates feedback with precision.
Winter again cements himself as a top notch guitarist and composer on this 2nd record, and the contributions from the esteemed players on the middle track help make the effort a fascinating and glorious display of instrumental prowess.
Travels well with: William Tyler- Goes West; Damien Jurado- In The Shape Of A Storm;