Nearly five years ago when she released her album, Shoes Droppin’, singer Jessie Wagner put the music world on notice. The album proved to be one of that year’s biggest and most welcome musical surprises. Later this month, she will follow up that record with her new album, War Within. Set for release Apr. 25 through Wicked Cool Records, the album – her second for the label – is an interesting new offering. That is due in large part to its featured musical arrangements. The lyrical content that accompanies that musical material is not as diverse as the musical content but still will resonate with some audiences. The record’s production puts the finishing touch to the whole, ensuring the effect of each arrangement is its fullest. Each item examined is important in its own way to the whole of the album. All things considered they make War Within a mostly successful follow-up to Shoes Droppin’.
War Within, the latest album from Jessie Wagner, is a mostly successful new offering from the up-and-coming singer. The album’s success comes in large part through its featured musical arrangements. The arrangements are of note because as with her previous album, they are so diverse. Right from the album’s outset, Wagner takes listeners back in time with ‘That ship Has Sailed.’ The song is a direct throw back to the sounds of The Supremes. Between her soulful vocals, the horns, the subtle guitar line, and the steady time keeping from the drums (and their sound), this song is a wonderful way to start the album.
From there, Wagner immediately changes things up with the album’s lead single, ‘Up Against The Wall.’ The bluesy, funky guitar line conjures thoughts of works from the likes of the Derek Trucks Band while the funky backbeat and the horns give a wholly different sound. The overall compositions is another unique addition to the album’s musical body that will reach plenty of audiences.
‘Wicked Cool’ changes things up again, this time taking audiences in a more rock-oriented direction a la Lenny Kravitz. The bluesy, fuzzed guitars and the steady, rich drumming makes this arrangement another instantly infectious work.
The changes continue even further in the very next song, ‘I Just Can’t Today.’ The reggae vibes that this song gives off clearly exhibits influence of Jack Johnson and Bob Marley. Considering the song’s lyrical theme, which will be discussed later, it is a fitting approach to the song.
As the album nears its end, things change considerably in the record’s title track. This as Wagner leans heavily in a vintage rhythm and blues direction. That throwback is another presentation that audiences are sure to appreciate.
‘Watching The Petals Fall,’ the album’s finale, is yet one more change. Clocking in at nearly four minutes, this song could be argued to be something of a neo-folk/country composition, once more showing the diversity in the sounds and styles featured throughout the record. When it and the album’s other songs noted here are considered collectively, the whole therein makes for reason enough for audiences to take in the record.
While the musical arrangements featured throughout War Within are widely diverse, the lyrical themes are slightly less so. For the most part the songs that make up the album’s 40-minute run time are about the all-too-familiar themes of love gained and lost. The album’s opener is a direct note of this as Wagner sings about a man who broke a woman’s heart and wants another chance. She proudly says no. ‘Up Against The Wall’ is the polar opposite as it is – according to Wagner herself – quite the sensual work. ‘One For Me’ and ‘Why Don’t You Love Me’ are more of that same content, as is the album’s title track. On a different note, ‘I Just Can’t Today’ goes in a different direction. In the case of this song, it is just about someone who is burned out and just wants to relax. This is a mindset that will resonate with a wide range of audiences. ‘Watching The Petals Fall’ meanwhile is a deeply moving song with its seeming existential theme of a woman looking back at her life while also looking at her future, her mortality. This song is the very epitome of the term tear jerker, especially when it is considered alongside the song’s equally rich, moving musical arrangement. When this theme and the others are considered in whole, they give audiences at least some more reason to take in the album.
Putting the finishing touch to the album is its production. Taking into note the varied musical arrangements, each work has its own identity, its own feel. This means that the utmost attention had to be paid to every detail in each song. From one song to the next, each musician’s performance perfectly compliments that of his or her fellow performers. The result is an aesthetic that makes the album just as appealing as the album’s content. Keeping that in mind, the whole of War Within becomes a presentation that while maybe not as great as Shoes Droppin’, is still well worth hearing.
War Within, the forthcoming new album from singer Jessie Wagner, is a presentation that proves was mostly worth the wait. That is due in part to its musical arrangements, which are fully diverse from the opener to the finale of this record. The lyrical themes are less diverse but still familiar and accessible, making them their own positive. The record’s production puts the finishing touch to its whole, ensuring a positive aesthetic impact. Each item examined is important in its own way to the whole of the record. All things considered they make War Within a mostly successful new offering from one of music’s still next big names.
War Within is scheduled for release Apr. 25 through Wicked Cool Records. More information on the album is available along with all of Jessie Wagner’s latest news at:
Website: http://www.jessiewagnerofficial.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jessie.wagner.568
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jessie_wagner
