I Dreamed A Dream
Cart/Horse, 2021
9/10
A very well regarded studio and touring guitarist, Tim Foljahn might best be known as the core of Two Dollar Guitar, who have several great albums in their catalog, and he takes his vast experience collaborating and applies it to this very diverse and thoughtful solo album- his first in five years.
“Once” starts the listen with bare string plucking as Foljahn’s soulful, expressive singing guides the orchestral turned rock climate that also welcomes soothing female backing vocals, and “Lowdown Day” continues the creativity with Foljahn’s version of Americana with brushed percussion, meditative guitar lines and poetic storytelling.
The middle tracks offer the more rugged and even bluesy “Ghost Ripper”, where Foljahn’s guitar acrobatics impress amid the strong grooves, while “Remember Me” offers a quicker pace of punchy, rootsy ideas that aren’t short on melodies alongside soaring strings.
Deeper still, the bare beauty of “Wake Up” resides closer to blues territory as raw, eloquent song craft is illuminated by electric guitar, and “I Can’t Decide” swerves into modern day indie-rock appeal where synthetic drumming and pop influences unfold. “In My Dreams” exits the listen, and brings psychedelic textures to a playful, swirling environment that hosts a pair of guitars and electronics that are manipulated superbly.
A fascinating and stirring effort, Foljahn is in the company of Jeremy Wilms (bass, arranging), Megan Gould (violin, viola), Danton Boller (double bass), and Christina Rosenvinge (vocals), as he navigates in and out of intimate, grungy and sophisticated songs with a fluid, timeless and highly memorable skill set.
Travels well with: Benjamin Jayne- Theater; Spencer Cullum- Coin Collector