photo by Denis Sayer; photo courtesy of CDA Publicity & Marketing

Album Review of Sean Harrison: Ghastly Love (and Other Dubious Tales)

Sean Harrison has one of those voices. It’s the rich, expressive voice of a modern folk troubadour. Most of all, he’s a storyteller. His lyrics are deep and thoughtfully-constructed, occasionally (OK, frequently) clever and humorous. He delivers his stories in the form of singing, mostly, but also as spoken word, when appropriate. There’s a hint of country, but at the folk storytelling end of that genre’s stylistic spectrum. And the arrangements are varied to fit the song subjects.

Sean kicks things off with an especially clever song, “Good Cover Story,” that’s a bit of a blues-folk blend with an old-school art-pop-rock beat and a noir vibe befitting its slick lyrics and crime-based subject matter. It’s a moderately energetic song that’s one of the album’s more likely tracks to reach broad appeal well beyond the record’s core audience. In other words, especially if this album doesn’t sound like it’s in your wheelhouse, maybe at least give “Good Cover Story” a listen.

“Home Where I’m Loved,” next up, is a mellow anthem for those whose home lives are a source of strength and blessing, particularly those like the songwriter whose pasts may have been a bit more scandalous.

image courtesy of CDA Publicity & Marketing

Speaking of scandalous, the next song, the title track, “Ghastly Love.” It’s the sort of song you might imagine Gomez singing to and with Morticia, flamboyantly, full-throated, imaginative, and fun.

“3 Part Strategy,” next, has a rock ‘n roll edge to it, full of energy, accompanied by bluesy distorted guitarwork, all leading to the periodical reveal of Sean’s 3-part strategy: “Get shit done!”

“Ghost of the Old Wire Road” slowly things down, going mostly spoken-word in this storytelling number, telling the story of the Old Wire Road. The song is an enthralling listen, and the topic is an interesting Wikipedia read. If you listen to the song first, you’ll recognize much of the road’s story.

Sean brings back the energy with the raucous “Black Beer,” a twangy country-rocker that’s given a memorable edge thanks to Sean’s matter-of-fact vocal delivery style, as storytelling on rockers like this as it is on the folkier-rhythmed numbers.

The uptempo, truly silly “Doggy Dog World” follows, delivering a musical ray of sunshine and catchy vocals; it’ll get stuck in your head and have you seeing the world through the wonder of a child’s eyes for days after just a few listens.

As much fun as this album is, mostly at least, it really does end on a downer, a 7-minute lightly musical examination of the awareness that the brain lives slightly longer than the body, examining a human’s “Final Thoughts.” It’s delivered a little whimsically and thoughtfully – an interesting listen – but man, the topic is serious and heavy.

As a whole, Sean Harrison’s Ghastly Love (and Other Dubious Tales) is a cool, often fun collection of songs that you really do need to hear. The guy’s a very talented true original, and you’ll find some new favorites when you give this record a listen.