November 2018 - Music
Album of the Month - Jubilee Road by Tom Odell
It is too easy to see a man sitting at a piano and conjure images of pop superstars and legendary frontmen of bygone eras. But with his recent release, Jubilee Road, Tom Odell adds his unique musical dexterity to the proverbial mix. Odell's defined style combines song-writing that is occasionally revelatory with effusive piano playing. Granting he is considered a contemporary impresario by many, Odell's album, at times, is lost to the capriciousness of overly slick piano and mediocre song writing. Yet Jubilee Road bares an intimate and expressive vulnerability rendering Odell as a viable factor in contemporary pop music.
Jubilee Road is less bluesy than previous endeavours. Instead, Odell dabbles with various genres including gospel. Odell's note-bending adds a trance-like harmony to his already embellished keyboarding. The track takes a decisive turn towards gospel as a chorus echoes and lifts Odell's singing. This technique is revisited in "You're Going to Break My Heart Tonight" when the backup vocals add a cadence of pain and haunting vulnerability. The inclusion of a single saxophone reiterates the sense of desolation.
Jubilee Road evinces Odell striving toward creative finesse, but for now, he is unevenly achieving artistry. Yet there are moments of songwriting panache that are unmistakably ebullient and gratifying. Moreover, Odell's piano playing is beyond superlative. His ability to rock a keyboard is what makes Odell an arresting musician.
It is too easy to see a man sitting at a piano and conjure images of pop superstars and legendary frontmen of bygone eras. But with his recent release, Jubilee Road, Tom Odell adds his unique musical dexterity to the proverbial mix. Odell's defined style combines song-writing that is occasionally revelatory with effusive piano playing. Granting he is considered a contemporary impresario by many, Odell's album, at times, is lost to the capriciousness of overly slick piano and mediocre song writing. Yet Jubilee Road bares an intimate and expressive vulnerability rendering Odell as a viable factor in contemporary pop music.
Jubilee Road is less bluesy than previous endeavours. Instead, Odell dabbles with various genres including gospel. Odell's note-bending adds a trance-like harmony to his already embellished keyboarding. The track takes a decisive turn towards gospel as a chorus echoes and lifts Odell's singing. This technique is revisited in "You're Going to Break My Heart Tonight" when the backup vocals add a cadence of pain and haunting vulnerability. The inclusion of a single saxophone reiterates the sense of desolation.
Jubilee Road evinces Odell striving toward creative finesse, but for now, he is unevenly achieving artistry. Yet there are moments of songwriting panache that are unmistakably ebullient and gratifying. Moreover, Odell's piano playing is beyond superlative. His ability to rock a keyboard is what makes Odell an arresting musician.
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