In these days of A and R being all about algorithms and collaborations, it is easy to forget that there was a time in the 90s when labels scooped up any singer songwriter in sight resulting in the good, the bad and the ugly. Mason Summit, at 24, was a baby when this reached it's peak, but he is a reminder of those trailblazers who were just as at home with an electric or acoustic guitar.
The intervening years haven't been as kind to this kind of troubadour to the point where they became an endangered species. Hopefully Summit marks the return of the genre, because Negative Space is one hell of an album, particularly for one so young. This is an incredibly mature album, all the way from Santa Monica.
Two artists spring to mind when you listen to the album. These are Neil Finn and Elliott Smith, although these influences are added to throughout as you are reminded of the likes of Emitt Rhodes and even Jason Falkner. The feel of the songs are also far and wide.
At times there's a hint of country to the arrangements, think Steve Earle and on the instrumental, Point Doom, you wait for Chris Isaak or Nick Cave to start singing. The quality of the song writing screams for your attention from start to finish.
Doomed From The Start is a great album opener with a gripping hook and the Bass and the Drum Fill, reminiscent of latter day Beatles. This would be the best thing on the album, if it wasn't for Confidant, the chorus in particular is pure Glenn Tilbrook.
How Does It End moody and haunting and Better Place races along like Crowded House at their best. Cause For Concern is an acoustic joy and Move To Fear needs a Camp Fire to gather round. The title track is Jason Falkner to a tee. This is a crackerjack of an album, an absolute gem. Time to get your wallets out!
You can listen to and buy the album here and Listen or Buy at one of the links here.
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Thanks for this,a find
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