ERIK KOSKINEN - BURNING THE DEAL
2019 - Real-Phonic records
Erik Koskinen is the possessor of vocals that can easily be compared to artists such as J.J. Cale and Mark Knopfler and probably others that don't instantly spring to mind. It is not just the sound but the easy going warmth and ability to express himself in his beautifully written original songs, some of those even suggesting sometimes more than vague echoes of the late great J.J. Having said all that Erik is very much his own man stylistically and brings something a little different to the edgier side of country music. Lyrically astute and with melodies that stay with the listener long after the last notes of the final track have died away he has everything he needs, certainly regarding talent, to succeed
This is Erik's third studio album in a recording career that includes an excellent e.p and a live album. He certainly likes to bring plenty of variety to his music, with songs on the disc ranging from mid tempo country rock to slow, moody ballads, all performed with great skill and flair, with arrangements that apart from the above don't really bring anyone else to mind. In fact, to talk about him in terms of style is fraught with problems. Certainly his roots are in country music and that shows in all of the nine songs on this album but there are echoes of blues, myriad country sub genres and even a little 'jazziness,' with the glue that binds them all together being his warm relaxed vocal style. There is even a certain amount of what can only be termed 'experimentation' that is evident on one or two tracks, nothing that gets in the way of his excellent songs, but slightly different arrangements that seem to stretch his music into fresh areas, in fact 'fresh' is probably an appropriate word that helps sum up this album.
The lineup on this tremendous recordingrecording was Erik Koskinen on guitar, vocals and co-producer, Bernie Larsen, also co-producer as well as guitar and backing vocals, Jennifer Condos on bass, Jay Bellerose on drums and percussion and Greg Leisz played pedal steel guitar, lap Steel and mandolin, with recording duties carried out by Jason Mariani
It's pointless to try to pick song highlights on an album on which every track is genuinely a highlight but the dramatic Gun, has certainly stayed with me thanks to the lovely relaxed, languid feel of the melody and tempo that are completely at odds with the lyrics, heightening the sense of drama, as does the weeping steel guitar. Down in the factory provides a strong contrast with most songs on the album with its much more dramatic sound that emphasizes the unrelenting harshness of the life of this protagonist, with the choppy electric guitar and driving percussion providing more emphasis. Most of the songs on the album describe lives lived not so much on the clichéd, fictitious 'wrong side of the tracks' but in a world peopled by those lacking in many of the privileges of the so-called middle classes, in many respects probably the majority of working people; even the love songs being more down to earth and consequently more believable than most. Even if the songs are fiction, and I don't know if they are or not, it is still a fiction that many will relate to.
Whilst the J.J. Cale comparisons do stand up, in many ways they are a cop out that simply helps to describe the atmosphere and some vocal similarities. 'Burning the deal' is a unique album that has its powerful tap root in the depths of country music. Sub genres are no use at all in describing Erik's music and yet neither really is 'country music;' perhaps a new genre 'Koskinen country' is more appropriate as a description of this talented singer songwriter.
http://www.erikkoskinen.com/
Erik Koskinen is the possessor of vocals that can easily be compared to artists such as J.J. Cale and Mark Knopfler and probably others that don't instantly spring to mind. It is not just the sound but the easy going warmth and ability to express himself in his beautifully written original songs, some of those even suggesting sometimes more than vague echoes of the late great J.J. Having said all that Erik is very much his own man stylistically and brings something a little different to the edgier side of country music. Lyrically astute and with melodies that stay with the listener long after the last notes of the final track have died away he has everything he needs, certainly regarding talent, to succeed
This is Erik's third studio album in a recording career that includes an excellent e.p and a live album. He certainly likes to bring plenty of variety to his music, with songs on the disc ranging from mid tempo country rock to slow, moody ballads, all performed with great skill and flair, with arrangements that apart from the above don't really bring anyone else to mind. In fact, to talk about him in terms of style is fraught with problems. Certainly his roots are in country music and that shows in all of the nine songs on this album but there are echoes of blues, myriad country sub genres and even a little 'jazziness,' with the glue that binds them all together being his warm relaxed vocal style. There is even a certain amount of what can only be termed 'experimentation' that is evident on one or two tracks, nothing that gets in the way of his excellent songs, but slightly different arrangements that seem to stretch his music into fresh areas, in fact 'fresh' is probably an appropriate word that helps sum up this album.
The lineup on this tremendous recordingrecording was Erik Koskinen on guitar, vocals and co-producer, Bernie Larsen, also co-producer as well as guitar and backing vocals, Jennifer Condos on bass, Jay Bellerose on drums and percussion and Greg Leisz played pedal steel guitar, lap Steel and mandolin, with recording duties carried out by Jason Mariani
It's pointless to try to pick song highlights on an album on which every track is genuinely a highlight but the dramatic Gun, has certainly stayed with me thanks to the lovely relaxed, languid feel of the melody and tempo that are completely at odds with the lyrics, heightening the sense of drama, as does the weeping steel guitar. Down in the factory provides a strong contrast with most songs on the album with its much more dramatic sound that emphasizes the unrelenting harshness of the life of this protagonist, with the choppy electric guitar and driving percussion providing more emphasis. Most of the songs on the album describe lives lived not so much on the clichéd, fictitious 'wrong side of the tracks' but in a world peopled by those lacking in many of the privileges of the so-called middle classes, in many respects probably the majority of working people; even the love songs being more down to earth and consequently more believable than most. Even if the songs are fiction, and I don't know if they are or not, it is still a fiction that many will relate to.
Whilst the J.J. Cale comparisons do stand up, in many ways they are a cop out that simply helps to describe the atmosphere and some vocal similarities. 'Burning the deal' is a unique album that has its powerful tap root in the depths of country music. Sub genres are no use at all in describing Erik's music and yet neither really is 'country music;' perhaps a new genre 'Koskinen country' is more appropriate as a description of this talented singer songwriter.
http://www.erikkoskinen.com/