Dave Madden(Independent release)
24 song double album
Release Date: March 9, 2010
Over years of experiencing many types of music I’ve found that those albums that I cannot put a finger on, that I cannot immediately judge as loved / liked / disliked / couldn’t stand, are those that slowly grow on me becoming cap stones in my ever growing music library. This is true of Dave Madden’s latest offering Open- Eyed, Broken Wide. This is witnessed by my having had to listen to the entire two album song collection over 30 times prior to being able to finish this review.
The independently released two album set is written and produced by Madden, who supplies lead vocals, guitars, and keyboards for his sophomore effort. All tracks are recorded in 96k HD audio digital studio quality format providing a very clear, crisp sound. Hastening back to the great old days of vinyl, the album’s purchase comes with a glossy 9x9 bi-fold print supplement taking us back to the great days of album artwork. The pamphlet includes song information, artist’s stories, additional information, and art providing a great gate fold album-like cover.
The two album set is divided into ‘Open-Eyed’ a fourteen song collection of rockers and polished offerings, and ‘Broken Wide’ a ten song collection with more of an acoustic, raw feel. Both share varying musical styles of which Madden moves effortlessly from one to another showcasing his talent and poetic lyrics. Most songs are masterfully written with many containing a delicate use of strings. Listen carefully for the well written lyrics, well placed breaks, and occasionally spoken stanzas of Alan Ginsberg’s ‘A Footnote to Howl’. Among the ballads and the rockers you will hear some jazz overtones and even a Broadway-like jingle. A number of the songs are presented on both the acoustic and rocker albums, always with one posturing better than the other, leading one to think one album of the best cuts might have been a better choice.
Open-Eyed is the more ‘polished’ sounding of the two albums with songs ranging from solid guitar driven rockers to beautiful piano lead ballads. The lead song “Open-Eyed” has solid orchestration underlying a story of the pain involved in personal change and growth. “Neon Signs”, tells the story of America’s culture of gluttony, and is a slowly building ‘80s rocker blending well into “Tomorrow Today”, another wild ride showcasing great lyrics telling of the fast pace of our culture - ‘it’s not new unless it comes from next year’. “Believe” shines with the story of the modern life of a Christian and “The new New Testament” is a testament to today’s Christians. “Dirty Feet” tells us it’s ok to live with the weight of life - you can be a little dirty while “This Is Love” shines as a new ‘John Lennon-ish’ anthem to peace, love, and hope.
Broken Wide, the second of the two album set is an acoustically based album with a textured feeling present in its simplified approach to many of its songs and their recording. Some of the voice tracks are quite rough. The opening track “Broken Wide” is the raw, pared down twin of “Open-Wide” having a string arrangement accompanying an acoustic guitar lead. “Aware”, is a hot jazz-based rocker with a great break to a fuzzy lead guitar. “A Beautiful Night” is a piano-lead ballad beautiful in its simplicity. My vote for best song of the set, “Rain”, is a great piece of modern surf music with California style reverb guitar and drums, vocals and backing vocals are well timed - ‘God made the world and saw that it was good. Not fair, not happy, not perfect, but good. And little understood, like rain.’ “Dirty Feet” combines strings and acoustic guitar providing a slow ballad reminding us to find the simplicity in life.
Open-Eyed, Broken Wide represents Madden’s growth as a song writer with his personalized spiritual faith embedded in his lyrics, call to social justice in his stories, and ability to move his audience with distinctive song styling. Most arrangements are simple, not complex, but the simplest things tend to be most beautiful and appreciated longest. If you relax in a quiet place and just let the music rush over you, then the words settle into a beautiful, meaningful moment. This is worth more than one listen.
www.davemaddenmusic.com
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