I don’t do many cd reviews. In fact this is my first! Part of the reason is that I do not listen to music that much. Did that surprise you? Another reason is that I find much of today’s music boring and uninspired. I did however take time to listen to Aftermath, the first recording of my friend Jonathan Edwards, and found it full of rich musical texture, great production, and straight from the heart lyrics. It is a project that I think many of you will want to add to your playlist when it is released next month.
For an initial project, Aftermath is full of diverse musical texture. One of the joys in listening was to try and pull out the various sounds and rhythms found in every song. The music always hold true to the theme of the project, yet does so in some very creative ways, weaving a tapestry of unique instrumentation, percussive loops, and silky vocals in a way that takes you to the very soul of the lyrics.
The musical talent Jonathan pulled together was magical. Once again, Aftermath scores with the right people in the right places. I never felt there was a player or vocalist out of place on the project. Part of the reason this CD works so well is the care taken in putting together the team behind the lead and it shows on every song.
Production was near perfect in my opinion. Eric McCoy did a remarkable job, and his unique perspective and perfectionist attitude permeates each and every track. There is no doubt that this cd took a lot of time in the studio, and you can see the result in a seamless project that flows remarkably well with no jerky transitions and no out of place sounds or production flaws.
Jonathan’s writing and singing are always on target. It is obvious that this project comes from a place of hurt and sadness, and he expresses it very well with heart-wrenching lyrics and resonating melodies. You will fell his hurt and you will live in his pain as you listen to the project. He has captured these moments in his life with honest, unvarnished, emotion.
The only problem with Aftermath is that it stays in the darkness. I think that is the idea of the project but I like to be pulled into hope on occasion with a song that is upbeat, with a promise of sunshine after the rain. Jonathan stays with the theme of hurt and abandonment, which is very consistent with where he was going, but I wish he would have found a place of hope somewhere along the journey.
All in all, I think you are going to love Aftermath, both for the honesty of the project and for the great musical talent, production, and sweat put into this CD. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did. I am sure this will not be Jonathan’s last project and I cannot wait to see what is on the musical horizon with him.
