Ordinary Eye
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
A veteran artist of the Los Angeles roots scene, James Houlahan’s 5th album arrives with influences like Bob Dylan and Tom Waits intact, as his autobiographical song craft flows with contributions from Fernando Perdomo, Scarlet Rivera, Danny Frankel and Esther Clark across the dozen originals.
“As It Is” starts the listen with cautious rootsy sounds where Houlahan’s gritty yet melodic vocals suit the warm acoustic guitar and cozy ambience, and “Tomorrow’s Had Enough Of Me” follows with well timed violin from Rivera amid the folksy strumming and vivid storytelling where Houlahan hits some high notes.
In the middle, “Down In The Mud” brings an electric guitar to the poetic atmosphere of emotive Americana, while “Walking Through The Fire”, the album’s best, is a quicker display of glorious alt-country where guitar, violin and percussion blend together seamlessly. “The Jailer” then offers firm drums from Frankel amid a rugged version of folk-rock meets garage rock spirit.
Deeper yet, “On My Own” resides in dreamy territory, with light falsetto vocals and soaring violin, and “Writ In Water” exits with atypical rhythm as Houlahan recruits classic rock nods into the versatile landscape.
Houlahan cut his teeth playing in New England rock bands, and he brings that experience to a very well executed formula of folk/Americana/roots ideas on this very sincere and thoughtful listen.
Travels well with: Cody Lee- Woodpecker Crisis; John R. Kjellstrom- John R. Kjellstrom