“Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter. Oh, like a poor man’s son.” Oh and what a winter it has been. If you’re looking for something to break the monotony of this harsh winter, Seattle based singer – songwriter Noah Gundersen’s latest release and first full-length album, “Ledges,” will easily add a bit of perspective to your cabin fever.
With three previous EP’s and multiple soundtrack appearances on the FX series Sons Of Anarchy under his belt, Noah Gundersen released “Ledges” on February 11th, 2014 to a highly anticipant audience. In December of 2008 I had the unexpected privilege of seeing Noah perform when I accepted a friends invitation to witness her run sound in Centralia, WA for Seattle trio, The Senate. The Senate happened to be opening that night for Noah Gundersen & the Courage who proceeded to fill every inch of the auditorium with harmonious sounds and an unexplainable ambiance. For anyone who’s had that sort of experience, you’ll know it’s almost impossible to recreate.
“Ledges,” which was self-produced by Gundersen, is one of those exceptions that plays back the feeling of a live performance at studio quality. Poor Man’s Son opens the album a cappella, setting the mood for the remainder of the record. The song begins with a call and response, reminiscent of hymns sung amongst a Baptist congregation. With backing harmonies provided by his sister Abby Gundersen; (Who recently released a solo album of her own,) and their two younger siblings, Noah introduces a single acoustic guitar to the tune that swells into a larger movement, blending into the chorus of the hymn Down to the River to Pray. (You know, the one made popular again by Allison Krauss in the 2000 Coen Bros. film, O Brother, Where Art Thou?) Poor Man’s Son effectively suggests that you might want to sit back for a while as the rest of the album unfolds.
Second in the track listing is a song called Boathouse in which Gundersen showcases his amazing ability to tell a story. Set to a moderate tempo, the lyrics tell the tale of an artist and the struggle to raise his family while battling personal demons. “Caroline, my Mona Lisa still can’t match your smile,” is one of those lines that will stick with you as it communicates perfectly the thought that you can never fully capture the person you love within your art.
Carried along by a rhythmic finger picking on guitar, Isaiah offers the sound of hopeful anticipation, however the song never quite builds up enough to allow for a proper release. This could be to emphasize the narrative of guilt contained within the lyrics. Separator has a similar feel only more upbeat with a bit of swing to it. You wouldn’t be surprised to hear this song in the background leading up to a showdown.
Ledges is the title track and first single off the album and rightfully stands out more than some of the other songs. Accompanied by a full band and Abby Gundersen’s melodic violin styling’s, Ledges at first gives the impression that you’re listening to contemporary country radio, but don’t worry, there will be no twang here. Only the story of a person making the most of what’s left and coming to terms with their mistakes.
Closing the first half of the record, Poison Vine is another of the more slow paced songs in the collection. The somber number acts as a sort of anticlimax within the album, describing the struggle of keeping face and trying to go through your day to day after suffering some sort of tragic loss. From here, the album begins to pick itself up gradually with First Defeat. Though still at a slower tempo, a certain confidence is regained from the admittance of things that cannot be changed.
Cigarettes displays the idea of a new beginning. Punctuating the lone guitar strums, a few notes from a harmonica create the feeling of wandering the streets on a warm summer evening. Like an addiction, the love interest in this tale is compared to the task of giving up smoking. Though now past the cravings, it’s the smoothness that continues to haunt the subject.
Next in line, Liberator possesses a steady swaying rhythm and catchy hook that will treat your mind like a bean bag chair, finding the perfect soft spot and slowly settling in with every intention of staying awhile. Forgetting to think of someone can be a long process, especially when it’s the last thing you want. Liberator does it’s best to convince you that you’ve moved on. Dying Now begins ushering in the end of the album set again a moderate tempo with a tone of farewell and a solo performance by Abby Gundersen.
Bringing the record to a close, Time Moves Quickly is a soft piano ballad that has the quality of a sorrowful lullaby. Though “Ledges” has reached its end, many things are still left unresolved as the themes of the album are summed into one last idea.
This is sure to be the first of many full-length albums for Noah Gundersen. Already, with years of experience, a great voice, and an even greater talent for songwriting, Noah’s best work is still yet to come. “Ledges” sets the bar high for the albums that will follow, but that standard will never leave fans disappointed.
Noah Gundersen: “Ledges,” can be found on vinyl as well as CD at http://www.dualtonestore.com/collections/noah-gundersen or in digital format on iTunes.
-Jacob Stahl / SwitchBitch Records / Reed City Ruins
