Rating: 4 Pulses
S.J. and the Props recently sent in their latest release, Tragedy, for us to check out, and I’m glad they did!
I’ve been wearing these seven songs out for two weeks.
This release contains seven well-crafted songs performed by some of Murfreesboro’s finest. The CD starts with the epic track “I Got Some,” sporting a thick musical soundscape with many layers of vocals and instruments. I won’t speculate publicly as to what the song is about, but I hear the warning “Avoid fiery gifts from burning bushes.”
S.J. immediately impressed me with his vocal range, displaying a sensitive and soulful sound slightly reminiscent of Paul Simon. The CD takes a turn to the up-tempo title track “Tragedy,” featuring Michael Mahaffey picking the fire out of the banjo.
My favorite track on the CD is song No. 4, “One More Dead Star.” This piece takes on an electronica vibe that moves like a lone swimmer at 6 a.m. leisurely backstroking through the fresh gulf surf. Ghostly is the only word I can use to describe everything about this song from the vocals, to the keys, to the beat of the drums.
S.J. and the Props have put together an excellent product. This CD touches many genres of music from Americana, to bluegrass, to electronica, to R&B to straight ahead rock. The only complaints I have for Tragedy are that it sounds a little on the canned side with heavy compression, and I would have liked to hear more picking on “Sail Away Ladies” before bringing in the ladies on backup. Nonetheless, “Sail Away Ladies” is a true roots music foot stomper.
Dynamics has been my key word in all my musical endeavors as of late, and S.J. and the Props have shown us all how it’s done.
Check out the band at Wall Street on April 5 and pick up the CD.
And S.J., there’s an open invitation to come perform at our Walnut House Sessions Concert series. We have just a few weeks left, but will certainly find a place to fit you in! Old-school Murfreesboro needs to come out and represent.
