Sean Rowe is most definitely not what you expect. Not in the slightest.
I recently took a trip to his website and stared down his scruffy face and tattooed arm. All right, Mr. Rowe, let’s hear what you’ve got. I chose a random track – “Night” – and pressed play. I leaned back and closed my eyes to the soft, calm strumming lullaby. Nice, I thought - and then he started singing.
Ladies and gentleman, toss away any preconceived notions you may have of this man and his music, and prepare to experience a sound so smooth and sultry, paired with lyrics so deeply soulful, that it must be pure Magic. Sean Rowe is real and intimate. His ability to create a world within each song both quietly and grandly is an absolute gift. Rowe’s entire soul is summoned into his voice, making each note genuine and every word meaningful.
Magic which was released in earlier this month on Collar City Records, opens with pulsing beats and the humming drone of anticipation in “Surprise”. Rowe’s deep, deep voice thoughtfully recalls an old love, “You were nothing but the fragrance of an old dream / that was just time playing tricks on my mind,” and the gentle plucks between verses are in no rush to meet the memories rushing in. I am immediately impressed by the ease and beauty of Rowe’s songwriting ability, and the expansive range of his vocals.
As my ears are greeted by the sounds of a plucking guitar and worrisome strings, I am impressed yet again by another magical ability of Rowe’s: to create a vivid scene using the instrumentation and his vocals so harmoniously. The nervous ticking of a clock, and the tortured moans and sighs of “Time to Think” paint a striking portrait of deception. The dark mood continues into “Night” – a soft-picking and somber lullaby. Rowe’s pleads are heartbreakingly intimate, and I found myself completely enthralled by “Come on daddy, there’s a light up there / We can make it if we hurry / I put my hand on his frozen hand / My mind was numb / My heart was fury.”
Next up: “Jonathan,” the thunderous, out-of-control account of a deadly accident. The song rushes more than his other tracks, echoing the intensity of the lyrics. Here Rowe explores more of his upper range, which when combined with the driving force of the instruments, is both thunderous and out of control. The result is nearly painful to listen to – though whether because of the music or because of the horrifying story behind it is hard to tell.
And almost as if he anticipated the advice to remain in his low range, Rowe delves into his deepest depths yet in “Old Black Dodge.” He may have gone too far for my taste. Rowe’s growl is borderline creepy. The imagery of the lyrics makes the song feel like a hot, dusty road, and all in all, I just feel uncomfortable. The strange falsetto at the end of the track is a bit lovely, but still mostly creepy, and I feel utter relief when I reach the next few tracks.
“Wet” and the “The Walker” will make you take Sean Rowe seriously. The narrative-style lyrics, the simple and real stories they tell, the honesty behind his voice, and the thoughtful, quiet beauty epitomize what Sean Rowe’s magic is all about. “Wet” rises and falls with the confidence and abashedness of a man trying to find just the right words. The song rises to a climatic proclamation of unconditional love, and then relaxes back into the wait for a response. Meanwhile, “The Walker” is a humbling withdrawal from the world he sees as he walks. “While everybody’s thinkin’ themselves to death / I just use my hands” is a convincing reminder that Sean Rowe is so unlike any other.
“American” is the zenith of the album by a mile. The switch to piano and strings synergizes with the captivating and critical lyrics such as “I was naked and for once I was not ashamed / I looked God in the eye and He spit in my face / And He left me on Main Street and drove His hummer away” and “All the Earth drops her jaw as we float into space / We’re moving to Mars by two oh thirty-eight / You know there’s oil there / It’s only a matter of time...” On this track, the undeniable crooning soul, and the thought it all provokes moves me beyond any expectation at the album’s start.
Track nine, “Wrong Side of the Bed,” takes a groovier route in an up-tempo sort of blues. And finally, the album comes to an end with “The Long Haul” – a slightly ethereal tune that sounds just as fresh as the spring Rowe sings about. The quiet humming tells me he has nothing to hide, and I can’t help but believe when he sings “And I know what it means to be alive.”
I can honestly say Magic has left me feeling satisfied beyond expectations. As I’ve listened again and again since my first visit to his website, Sean Rowe has grown on me, and this album is sure to become a favorite. So, give him a try. Sean Rowe may very well prove to be worth your time.
Track List
1. Surprise (4:33)
2. Time to Think (3:56)
3. Night (3:33)
4. Jonathan (4:36)
5. Old Black Dodge (3:46)
6. Wet (4:32)
7. The Walker (4:26)
8. American (5:42)
9. Wrong Side of the Bed (4:52)
10. The Long Haul (3:49)
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