Emerson Drive Album: “Emerson Drive”

Description :

Emerson Drive: Brad Mates (vocals); Pat Allingham (acoustic & electric guitar, mandolin, fiddle, background vocals); Danick Dupelle (acoustic & electric guitar, background vocals); Chris Hartman (acoustic guitar, piano, organ, synthesizer); Jeff Loberg (bass, background vocals); Mike Melancon (drums, percussion, loops). <p>Producers: Julian King, James Stroud, Richard Marx. <p>Principally recorded at Ocean Way, Nashville, Tennessee. <p>If you're expecting range-riding, honky-tonk traditionalism from Canadian country act EMERSON DRIVE, you're in for a bit of a surprise. Unlike so many contemporary country artists, EMERSON DRIVE doesn't tart up tired country formulas with a few pop tricks and call it something new. Instead they go the decidedly more difficult route of actually creating something new. The various members of the band all sport various rock, country, and pop influences, and everything gets its fair shake in their sound. <p>The wide-open vocal harmonies and carefully arranged electric guitars suggest that Emerson Drive has listened to the Eagles more than once, but in their harder-rocking moments they leave mellow '70s country-rock behind for something entirely more modern (though equally radio-friendly). They toss off a mean pop-country ballad as well, giving the ladies a little something over which to swoon (not counting the photogenic mugs of these young bucks, that is).

These days, rarely does a CD offer more than one or two listenable songs in one package. Emerson Drive is the exception. This debut CD rocks. It's a thin line between pop and country and rock. And these guys tow the line nicely. Stand out songs (besides their great hit "I Should Be Sleeping") include "Fall into Me," "Passionate Sexy Love," "Say My Name," etc. This CD is definitely worth owning.

Yes, all the songs on this CD are songs about love, from wanting the girl/falling in love with the girl/staying true to the girl. Love is, afterall, one of the major themes in all country music. Until now, I have been only a marginal fan of country music, but Emerson Drive has changed all that! Brad Mates' vocals are in a class of their own--he could sing anything--from Harry Connick style music to rock, and he would be incredible. His vocal range includes some pretty sexy bass! Each of the instrumentalists are exceptional musicians, and I believe it is this talent that prompted Shania Twain to ask the band to open for her in her current tour. The lyrics may all be about love, but they are not typical of country, especially those on 'Say My Name', 'Evidence', and 'Looking Over My Shoulder'. After listening to the CD once, it has become my favourite album!