What’s The Mood Of The Country Now?
Regional, 2020
8/10
Listen to What’s The Mood Of The Country Now?
Although he’s probably best known as a founder of and the bassist for Lone Justice, the multi-talented Marvin Etzioni has had impressive solo career, too, and here he takes a very in depth look at America today with his vast experience and varied influences in peak form.
“Every Breathing Soul” starts the listen with finger snapping and chanting in a brief but impactful opening that sets the mood, and “God Bless The Homeless” follows with crisp percussion and Sy Smith’s soaring vocals complementing the retro-rocker that carries traces of the blues.
As we near the middle, “Here Comes America” benefits from cultured percussion as a spacey, synth heavy atmosphere is built around Smith and Etzioni’s charming singing, while “Cover Your Bamboo” brings Eastwood into the hip-hop friendly climate that’s fuzzy and playful. “Abide In My Love”, an album highlight, then takes help from Anais Nin as plenty of soul enters a poetic landscape.
Close to the exit, “The Last Weapon Left Is The Heart” is a cautious rocker that’s powerful and horn friendly, and “We Belong In America” ends the formal album with Gustavo Santaolalla contributing on the bare folk song that’s both eloquent and relevant. Etzioni offers 3 more tracks, too, all of which are radio edits of earlier tunes, which is a nice gesture to hear the slightly shorter versions.
A record that’s spiritual, empowering, wise and very topical, some of these songs are decades old but still very applicable to America today, as Etzioni and this all star cast make insightful observations with an artistic and ultra creative quality.
Travels well with: Juletta & Ishan- If I Never Hit Land; The Channel- Electronic Luck