This is the state of our music industry right now–songs are relying less on instruments and raw talent and more on computers and pretty faces. Music is predictable and bland with the same dead theme sown throughout every song in the top 40. Don't get me wrong I love hearing Demi tell me she's not sorry and everyone needs that reminder from Dua to not pick up the phone, but as listeners, we deserve something with a little more substance.
That something comes in the form of an old-time country, blues sounding man hailing from Bloomington, Illinois named Andrew Heissler, famously known as, Pokey LaFarge. LaFarge started releasing music in 2006–always staying true to the classic blues sound while mixing in country and classic western music elements.
LaFarge's latest work titled Manic Revelations, released in 2017, brings the substance the consumers of music are lacking. He captures a nostalgic sound without being wrong or overly cheesy–all with a band and his voice. While his sound is classic the themes he writes about are not, especially on his newest album.
The first song on Manic Revelations is called, "Riot In The Streets" the song has an upbeat, fast paced almost 50's diner sound to it, but the lyrics don't exactly co-exist with the tempo of the song. The lyrics discuss the riots that were happening across the country in response to the killing of young, black men. In the song, LaFarge asks us to be reflective and learn, "as the police fire and buildings burn."
On a less serious note the song, "Better Man Than Me" has a Beach Boy sound to it, while still keeping a bluesy theme and LaFarge's voice changes to a more personal sound. He is reflecting on old love and why it didn't work out–she did not want what he could offer. LaFarge could offer what his music career could reap and she wanted more.
My favorite song off the album is called, "Silent Movie" the song is an interesting reflection on how we go through life before we die. He opens the song with a classic, short blues opening and his voice has more change in this one compared to some others on the album. This song has an amazing introduction to the chorus with three different trumpet notes pilling up on each other which builds into him singing the words, "silent movie."
Pokey LaFarge changes the way modern music is understood and revolutionizes the meaning of classic. He is that substance we all need in between relating to Drake because he only loves his bed and working from home with Fifth Harmony.
