In a mere span of forty-some minutes, Chris Bullinger strikes quite the impression in professing his emotions closest to his heart in the first part of his album "Waitin' to be Seen," which tackles myriads of sensations over twelve songs. Listeners can expect the down-to-earth, back-to-classic era Americana sound that is vastly powered by multi-layered songwriting and meticulous instrumentation that harken to the simpler times. Those observants can quickly hear the strong influences eminent artists such as Bob Dylan and Steve Earle have on Chris Bullinger, turning this album even more intriguing to delve into.
Like most accomplished crooners, the Nashville-based artist has origins justifying his competencies born and raised in the modest plains of Midwest America, he inevitably got drawn to music and honed his knack for songwriting by penning poems, simultaneously fascinated with outlaw country records. After an education in classical instruments like violin and piano, Chris spent numerous hours on the guitar and learning the ropes in mastering fingerpicking and folk styles. His first debut Country album "When I Move In" hit the music stores in 2008, following which "Peace Bomb" became his final bunch of songs to be released four years later. Although the ten-year hiatus that came after could have acted as a creativity dampener, it wasn't so for Chris. After concluding his side businesses in the energy industry with major success, he returned full force with the albums "True Rendition" in 2022 and "How To Bleed" a year later, the latter amassing several hundred thousand streams on Spotify.
"Waitin' to be Seen," has been described by the aforesaid singer as an 'reinvestment into his creativity,' with the first part alone carrying over twelve distinct tracks (and more to follow with the sophomore and final one). In a raw and sometimes gravelly voice carrying the tunes, the songs each narrate a story; one minute it's about aching heartbreak, the other it's a joyful (if not overly romantic) number. It's this humanizing and unconventional pattern existing in the album that stuck out to us. On that account, these are our top ten favorites (ranked), as well as a brief description of them.
10. Carving Tree
In a pensive voice, the crooner wonders about his lost love over a ballad-style composition containing a sad organ in the background; a female backup vocal in the backdrop softens the tune further as the songwriting gets mournful. Bubbling with grief, there's a genuine tenderness that grabs attention.
9. I'm Not Comin' Back Home
Centered around vocals that are travel-weary from solitude and eventual unrest, the song unravels with spacious and mild arrangements of wailing Country guitars and percussions. Quite the introspective, slow-burning but thoughtful tune that displays the poetic prowess of its performer.
8. One Complete Connection
Acting as the breezy opener for the album, "One Complete Connection" has that timeless Americana sound, coupled with genuine lyrics that theme around misfortunes in life, as the vocals put on a relaxed timbre and dispense wisdom in an act of reassurance (as the chorus resonates with the motif "heading in a new direction, find your one complete connection").
7. Darlin' 'n' Me
A driven Rockabilly tune, the vocals bring more oomph to "Darlin' 'n' Me" with a raspy tonality. The instrument gets dramatic at times alongside the playful and somewhat rebellious songwriting and composition; an entertaining tune that amps things up!
6. Already Broke
Traveling interstate, this tune emphasizes how the vocalist isn't giving up easy on love, a cynic hardened through the mean and relentless life that has plagued him time and time again. Another well-paced classic rock instrumental accompanies the scratchy but riveting voice.
5. The Way Things Go
In a brisk cadence, "The Way Things Go" is all about hopeless romantics as the composition unveils a psychedelic touch with the swirling electric guitars, turning this into a plaintive yet vibrant folk-rock number.
4. Ain't Life Grand
Heartbroken yet comforting, this song strips down to gradual drums in a 70s singer-songwriter style track with a pristine Rhodes playing in the back, as the vocals bring solace to a troubled lover while musing over the tragedies of life; a track with a gentle caress that lets the museful voice shine.
3. Doing Bad Good
All buoyant and chipper, "Doing Bad Good" rushes with a Honky-tonk style ensemble with an upright piano, as the happy-go-lucky vocals energize with a striding and carefree rendition.
2. Up All Night
A bubbly and funky tune, the songwriting gets unabashedly cheeky and romantic with intimate lyrics, "Up All Night" proceeds with excited vocals and velvety sax riffs interspersed throughout the peppy instrumentation.
1. Payin' Dues
The lead single takes it up a notch with the lush saxophones and swanky instrumental that takes back to the era of Big Band jazz, as the vocals get seductive yet laced with menacing undertones. The conclusion occurs with an unexpected and theatrical flourish, a barrage of drums occurs alongside a raucous and pulsating finish.
Listen to "Waitin to be Seen (Part 1)" on Spotify and stay tuned with Chris Bullinger for the upcoming part of the album on his Instagram.
Σχόλια