Only Real When Shared
Workaround, 2020
8/10
Listen to Only Real When Shared
The debut solo album from Jordan Caiola, who might best be known as the frontman for Philadelphia’s Mo Lowda & The Humble, has the guitarist, vocalist and songwriter offering us 10 songs penned during quarantine that explore his folk songwriting ability.
The title track starts the listen with plenty of ambience as Caiola’s inimitable vocals enter the playful, dreamy formula, and “Back Then” follows with warm acoustic guitar building into a rhythmic display of breezy song craft that jangles in all the right ways.
In the middle, “Wolves” burns slows with much atmosphere as Caiola’s soaring pipes shine bright amid crunchy guitars, while “Hydroplane” recruits a laid back spirit that’s not short on subdued melody and features a slide guitar appearance. “Finders Keepers”, one of the record’s best, then moves with a fuller quality of deft percussion, intricate guitar work and a light display of timeless harmony.
Deeper still, “22nd Time” offers reflective, pretty instrumentation, and “Petrichor” exits the listen with sublime balladry, where an orchestral quality is present and easily embraced.
The title of the record comes from a Christopher McCandless quote (of into The Wild), who certainly knew about isolation, and Caiola’s time alone emits an intimacy that’s atmospheric, sometimes a little psychedelic, and really quite eloquent.
Travels well with: My Morning Jacket- It Still Moves; Buck Meek- Buck Meek