Christopher Bell - I'll Be Home [Album]

Silent Home Records

July 25, 2009, 08:24 PM

Views: 259   Comments: 1

Buy Christopher Bell - I'll Be Home [Album] From Amazon.com

Self-made man and coffee-house performer Christopher Bell from Jamestown, New York, released his only full length album to date 'I'll Be Home' two years ago. Had a spot of depression from being his own booking agent and almost gave up due to lack of success. It's a bit unclear whether or not he still performs now (if you know, let me know!). Three dates of his US Bicycle Tour (following up last years equally money-friendly Canoe Tour) have been cancelled and in his last musical related blog entry, Christopher mentioned his doubts about continuing "whatever the outcome". At least he did release a full length album, best described as a partly succeeded attempt at producing alternative country music.

The irony of this album is where Bell plays most of the instruments himself the tracks are OK but the few outstanding tracks are the ones where he is accompanied by other musicians. On 'Oh, How we Danced', 'Colleen' (penned by fellow unknown musician Lambert Mixson) and 'Jim's Song', singer Jacinta Whitcome, bassist Ian Jones and drummer Jonathan Bell are by Christopher Bell's side and it all sounds the best like this. Especially 'Jim's Song' which rises above the average banjo tune, thanks to the addition of Whitcome, whose vocals gives this melancholic song a classic country feel.

On songs like 'Song 11' and 'Tomorrow' on the other hand, both suffering from the production (the album is recorded at home, school and in a basement), Bell tries to revive lifeless, slow songs by attempting to sing with passion. The outcome comes over more like a drunken guy trying to make his point to a provoking lamp post; it all sounds very sincere, but it's never going to convince. Other worthwhile additions to the world are 'Telephone' and title track 'I'll Be Home', where drummer Jonathan Bell is back on the track again, and again it is for the better.

Bell's album doesn't lack passion or good songs (though more of the goodies wouldn't have hurt), it lacks a good production that lets it down. Moreover, Bell is a better songwriter than he is a singer.

Considering his many years of touring, EP releases (three this year, according to his record label) and sufferings from self-organized coffee-house tours, he's obviously passionate about making music. The world is not going to stop turning when listening to this album.

Still, the answer to his problems seems so simple: start a band and find a booking agency. As soon as the weight disappears from Bell's shoulders, he will probably come up with an album much better than this one; this one only shows that too many wishes and too much desire for control can waste one's talent.

Tracks:
1 Oh, How We Danced
2 Colleen
3 Jim's Song
4 Song 11
5 Tomorrow Brings Us Away
6 Wait
7 Take Me Home
8 In Love And War
9 On With The Show
10 Telephone
11 I'll Be Home
12 Goodbye, Farewell, Amen

#1 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report