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Michael Askin - Road by the River (2017)



REVERBNATION: https://www.reverbnation.com/michaelaskin
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelAskinMusic/

Written by William Elgin, posted by blog admin

As a fan of both acoustic and electric interpretations of southern rock, folk, country and blues, I’m kicking myself for not discovering New Jersey native Michael Askin’s music sooner.  His tunes trade complex playing for deep playing; sweeping passages where texture and multi-tiered instrumental layers are the basis of the sound here and take precedence over flashy, technically astounding soloist fare.  Road by the River is his third recording to date and after previewing his other works it would seem that Askin has reached a level of musical maturity with this album that in turns yields him the most nuanced and fully fleshed out set of songs in his catalog. 

Road by the River’s namesake track acts as a gateway introduction number that touches on the songwriting themes and instrumental melting pot that is the EP’s main calling card.  A rushing river of wavy, rippling brush-played snares set to a speedy tempo incites the cascades of acoustic guitars to continue moving forward with a deliberate intent.  The bass lines follow suit without deviating much from the guitar melodies, providing further richness as opposed to another musical main idea.  Spartan keyboard melodies twinkle in the background while not displaying the prominence they will assume later on during the EP.  All throughout Askin paints himself as a very talented vocalist whose words conveys much emotion on the human condition; narrated by a singer that’s in full command of his strong melodic range.  “Nashville” traverses the same gravel path but slows the tempo a click in exchange for gusts of atmospheric electric guitar, wailing organ accoutrements, twangy country guitars and an even greater dynamic aural palette.  It’s easily one of the release’s best pieces of work with an ability to stir and shake-up the soul. 

The backbreaking, barroom brawl electric riffs of “Sun Going Down” molds Askin’s acoustic work into Oak uprooting hard rock that’s fortified by a thick, dense soundscape.  Acoustics wrap around the feral hard rock riffs, a Hammond organ rises above the clattering grooves and Michael’s voice adopts a roughhewn drawl in the creation of a thumping composition that powerfully bridges the EP’s two halves together with deft sonic might.  “Hard to Make a Living” pairs up nicely to “Nashville” as the saddle-busting acoustic guitars are minimally shades with electric riffs while a gospel B3 organ mantra ushers its way to the front of the pews and commands its listeners’ attention spans for the duration.  Road by the River caps off with the folky acoustic smarts of “Last Train,” a contemplative piece that reaches a dizzying finish of climactic synth spires that gets louder and louder until the song vanishes into thin air back from whence it came. 

Michael Askin’s Road by the River is a fully developed outing for the singer/songwriter that expands tenfold on the excellence from his last EP.  Each of the 5 songs offer various takes on his chosen style and thanks to great writing laying a rocky steady blueprint for the many musical textures on offer, Road by the River never ceases to amaze. 
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