Michael Askin peaks with his newest EP release
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REVERBNATION: https://www.reverbnation.com/michaelaskin
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelAskinMusic/
New Jersey based guitar player, vocalist and songwriter Michael Askin’s latest EP release Road by the River blends sinewy rock inclinations with more than a little Americana, primarily blues, influence. The blue collar sensibilities of the songwriting should never denote, however, a lack of subtlety or cleverness. Over the span of the collection’s five songs, Askin and his collaborators invoke classic poses common to the style while the songwriting manages to tweak listeners’ expectations without any obvious affectation or hints of self indulgence. The album, recorded in his local New Jersey environs, never pretends to be something it isn’t – a solid outing chock full of blood and guts songs further refined by a generous amount of song craft and all original material. Road by the River might be compact and to the point, but it never lacks for artistry.
The title song begins the release with some tasteful drumming laying down a steady trot while acoustic guitar sketches out the melody over the top of the rhythm track. Askin’s lyrics are conversational and eloquent while his unassuming delivery nevertheless clearly contains great, understated emotional depth. He’s complemented nicely by some unobtrusive harmony vocals during the chorus and there’s a recurring swell of electric guitar adding color to the performance. “Nashville” starts off at a delicate meander before eventually building an impressive head of musical steam, particularly its straight ahead authoritative drumming, and the recording has palpable warmth that draws listeners in from the first. There’s some nice touches of pedal steel guitar coming through that’s quite appropriate for the song’s lyrical content and subject. “Sun Going Down” is the EP’s longest cut and has a gravitas the opening duo of tracks misses and the rueful lyric is full of compelling imagery that Askin wails with a near snarl in his voice. The desperation and darkness encroaching on this track is quite affecting and never over-wrought.
“Hard to Make a Living” rides a strong country influenced vibe while still embracing the singer/songwriter template underpinning so much of the EP. Askin allows himself a slightly extended instrumental intro before his vocal first enters and we’re treated to another lyric rife with the same level of detail common to the earlier tunes. Road by the River closes with the sparkling acoustic textures of “Last Train” and it’s impossible to deny the evening time elegiac quality bringing its spirit to life. Askin pays immense respect to that spirit with a wonderfully sensitive vocal and it’s a pleasure to hear the song gather gradual momentum – there’s no other song suitable for the final spot on Road by the River like this one. Michael Askin’s EP carries the weight of much longer releases thanks to its multitude of merits and promises even greater days to come for this New Jersey recording artist.