FREE MUSIC! Yes, absolutely and completely FREE. As with his previous 4 albums, James Kirsch (under the moniker General Fuzz) has released his fifth album Soulful Filling for free download. Want to know more about this guy’s work? Read on, eager listeners, and be floored by this artist’s unique sound and approach.
“Eye Heart Knot” had my rapt attention within seconds. It has a distinct electronic feel, with tinkling bells, beautiful piano, and other various samplings of sounds that just fit. Kirsch goes to great lengths to make this track flow, and his ability to (successfully!) combine so many sounds and elements together is what really caught my attention.
The second track on Soulful Filling, “Four Prophets”, picks up right where “Eye Heart Knot” leaves off. Really, it’s like an extension or continuation of the first track, but with more of an atmospheric, jazzy vibe to it. With Dan Liebowitz lending his sassy guitar talents, “Four Prophets” is awesome. If you’re not too sure about electronic/ambient music, best to stick with this track: you’ll be an ambient aficionado in no time.
“Comfort Zone” starts out with an apparent electronic vibe, but it’s not long before a succession of kick-ass strings join in on the fun. “Comfort Zone” reminds me a bit of something that Yoko Kanno, the famed Japanese composer, might create for a movie soundtrack.
“Mellow Drama” explores the funky side of electronic music, while still keeping all of General Fuzz’s other signature sounds in place. Opening with a sound like an electric violin, organ, or an accordion, “Mellow Drama” is simply mind-boggling. I mean, all kidding aside, for a good portion of the first minute, I was convinced that I was listening to altered bagpipes. Really. I was delighted to find out that Kirsch had opened up the studio to Audio Angel (Rashida Clendening), Dan Liebowitz, and David Phillips. Clendening’s vocals on “Mellow Drama” mesh nicely with Liebowitz’s reprised contribution, and Phillips’ pedal steel guitar. As with almost all of the tracks on Soulful Filling, “Mellow Drama” is saturated with the masterful talent of James Kirsch, and steeped in a savory blend of his friends’ collaborative efforts.
Despite its strange name, “Warm Steel” is eerily beautiful. It has electronic clicking and sampling throughout, but it was David Phillips’ pedal steel guitar that made me fall in love with this track. With a slightly effervescent country twang, it seems like the kind of song that you’d want to listen to while sprawled out in a field of green grass and sweet wildflowers, with the warm sun beating down on your face. If you’re headed out on a walk, hike, picnic, or even a scenic drive, don’t forget to add this track to your mix CD or playlist. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Aside from the length, “Go Inward” is a track that I want to fall asleep to. But, don’t take that the wrong way: the soothing ambiance and overall relaxed vibe of Soulful Filling’s sixth track is quite calming. If you’re feeling stressed, or had a tiring day at work or school, set this one on repeat, sit back, and relax. With Kirsch at the controls, you’re safe to just take a deep breath and let the stress go.
The sound of “Starry” is almost nursery-like, and brims with exquisite melodies which tend to cross over one another like frogs on lily pads. With a little drumming in the background, “Starry” is your much-needed lullaby.
“Second Thoughts” is clicky, bubbly, and bouncy, with a splash of classy piano. About two minutes into listening, I thought the track had come to a complete standstill, as it was so quiet! Luckily, that roomy piano takes its cue and shines against the promise of Ryan Avery’s flavorful strings within seconds, and Kirsch pulls everything back together.
I would love to walk home to “Walking Home,” which comprises countless melodies crossed with various snippets of piano. While it may feel like this track is a patchwork of music bits, Kirsch stitches everything together to create something unique and beautiful.
“Fuzzy Prayer” is exactly what it says. Are those Kirsch’s soft, soulful chords against a backdrop of strings? Nope. For this installment, Kirsch lent the microphone to Audio Angel, with Steve Sparapani on cello to mix things up. Kirsch describes Clendening as “the embodiment of positivity.” Furthermore, describing Clendening’s contribution to “Fuzzy Prayer”, he says, “I actually had shivers while we had our recording session — I haven't experienced that before.” Switching the focus to Sparapani’s cello talents, Kirsch claims that he “liked how it sounded, and had him come over a couple more times so his inflection on the cello would match Rashida's vocal inflections.” Wow. Clearly, Kirsch is deeply involved in his music. Overall, this track is a breath of fresh air, and demonstrates just how eclectic Fuzz’s sound is.
Complete with strings and a relative lack of electronic influences during the early portion of the track, “Goodbyes” is an awesome, beautiful way to end Soulful Filling. But, I really have to wonder…just where did the techno/electronic vibe, current throughout the rest of Soulful Filling, disappear to on the last track?
It’s difficult to knock an album as ambiently lovely as Soulful Filling. Check it out yourself by downloading it for free from Kirsch’s website, www.generalfuzz.net.
Track List
1: “Eye Heart Knot” 4:00
2: “Four Prophets” 5:51
3: “Comfort Zone” 6:02
4: “Mellow Drama” 5:11
5: “Warm Steel” 4:42
6: “Go Inward” 6:04
7: “Starry” 3:54
8: “Second Thoughts” 4:23
9: “Walking Home” 4:28
10: “Fuzzy Prayer” 2:05
11: “Goodbyes” 3:43
