Beautiful MessWords Getting Around
Self-Release
The Northeast-based group, Beautiful Mess, is spearheaded by Chris Ehrhart and his nephew, Tim Ehrhart who have a passion for writing, playing, arranging, and sharing songs of a heavenly side—on their latest release, Words Getting Around. The
five-track release showcases jingly pop and rock songs with a positive message
about the realities of life. The music
is more than a voice, guitar, and drums, as other instruments come into play
throughout.
“Alright”
opens with plaintive vocals and a briskly-played, acoustic guitar with a kind
of flamenco style. The vocals are backed
by light percussion through mid-song. The
vocals feel very organic and unaltered by heavy mixing or sampling. The last half of the song incorporates a few
spoken word vocals with symphonic, rock arrangements and louder vocals by the
end of the song. However, the vocals are
still discernible. The rock arrangements
are a fitting end to the song that actually ends with a few acoustic guitar
chords, as delicately as it started.
“Crazy”
begins with clap-like percussion, a few piano notes, and swishy percussion with
great vocals. The up-tempo beat sparkles
with guitar, piano, and arrangements. After
the first few verses, a punchy rock beat occurs before a vocal only line that
signals the last few lines of the song with full-on percussion, guitars, piano,
and vocals in a pop-rock structure. The
pop vocals at the end of the song appropriately round out the song’s best features.
“Holding
On” opens with an acoustic guitar in a folksy, raw manner. The vocals begin, as a rich, percussive sound
accompanies the vocals and guitar. After
the first few lines, a symphonic chorus incorporates a little pop-rock
splendor. There are lush back-up vocals
throughout amidst the jangly percussion. The end of the song ends as charming as it
begins with plaintive guitar and vocals.
“Home
Forever” begins with piano notes and a heartfelt vocal line. A percussion arrangement kicks in with an
ambulating beat and delicate taps. A
swishy cymbal clang signals more dramatic vocal performances with back-up
vocals during the first chorus. The next
few verses escalate with pop-rock charisma in a more majestic tone with lush
guitars, symphonic washes, and rock guitar beats. The triumphant vocals are fueled by powerful
lyrics of Christian rebirth and eternal living. After the climax of the last chorus, the song
fades out with organ sounds and percussion arrangements.
“Words
Getting Around” opens with a jingly acoustic guitar tune and organ sounds with
swishy cymbals and drums. The bluesy and
folksy tune is jingly and full of pop-rock splendor with vocals akin to Dave
Matthews. Even the bluesy melody and
guitar arrangements are akin to something by Dave Matthews. At any rate, mid-song features back-up vocals
in a bluesy or gospel context. The
vocals are manipulated in parts by back-up vocals and some programming effects.
The back-up vocals, instruments, and
arrangements come together in the end for a party-like sound of indiscriminate
vocals. The mish-mash of music is a
fitting end to the song.
Beautiful
Mess is a group that is inspired by things beyond this Earth and they harness
that energy and turn it into great music arranged in innovative ways by
incorporating a mix of instrumentation. The music is also catchy. Though, only five songs are included on the
album. Still, the five songs are all very good without any faults. A mix of jazzy, folk, rock, pop, Christian,
and gospel elements make the music shine without any shortcomings. Anyone with an interest in the abovementioned
genres will find happiness (and meaning) in the songs.
Review
by Matthew Forss
Rating:
5 Stars (out of 5)
Find them on bandcamp!
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