Sixes & Sevens
Adam Green
March 7, 2008
Rough Trade
Adam Green
March 7, 2008
Rough Trade
Adam Green remains an intriguing musician. “Sixes & Sevens” marks Green’s fifth release. Thusfar we’ve seen glimpses of brilliance but primarily inconsistent albums with very short songs that lack believability and sincerity. On this new release, the songs are abundant and relatively short again, with only two songs surpassing the 3 minute mark. Contrary to the previous records, however, Green seems to have settled down somewhat.
Some of the songs may suffer from a lack of depth but with Green’s deep vocals and a more accessible way of portraying the songs, the tunes come across as genuine and natural. Tropical Island is carried by Green’s deep and warm vocal sound but the subtle arrangement (lovely percussion) is a good example of how he traded in the quirky irony for a more mature approach.
Throughout the album there are a few misses but in general the songs carry their own weight due to the compositions and additional arrangements (with help of David Campbell, who will need no introduction among music aficionados) and Green’s lush vocals.
Songs like You Get So Lucky and Getting Led are pretty good and due to the more accessible approach, songs like Morning After Midnight, Be My Man and Bed of Prayer come across very well. Don’t pay too much attention to the lyrics as most of those are still quite nonsensical or at least out of left field and just go with it. The music will take over if you let it.
The most important thing I take away from “Sixes & Sevens” is that Adam Green finally convinces. From start to finish he delivers an album that, albeit still somewhat strange, holds its own in a sincere and believable fashion. The songs allow Green to prove himself as a singer and songwriter and the gorgeous arrangements by Campbell are a big plus. In a way, he’s achieved the balance he was searching for. And just in time, I might add. “Sixes & Sevens” could potentially open up this artist to a whole new audience.
Some of the songs may suffer from a lack of depth but with Green’s deep vocals and a more accessible way of portraying the songs, the tunes come across as genuine and natural. Tropical Island is carried by Green’s deep and warm vocal sound but the subtle arrangement (lovely percussion) is a good example of how he traded in the quirky irony for a more mature approach.
Throughout the album there are a few misses but in general the songs carry their own weight due to the compositions and additional arrangements (with help of David Campbell, who will need no introduction among music aficionados) and Green’s lush vocals.
Songs like You Get So Lucky and Getting Led are pretty good and due to the more accessible approach, songs like Morning After Midnight, Be My Man and Bed of Prayer come across very well. Don’t pay too much attention to the lyrics as most of those are still quite nonsensical or at least out of left field and just go with it. The music will take over if you let it.
The most important thing I take away from “Sixes & Sevens” is that Adam Green finally convinces. From start to finish he delivers an album that, albeit still somewhat strange, holds its own in a sincere and believable fashion. The songs allow Green to prove himself as a singer and songwriter and the gorgeous arrangements by Campbell are a big plus. In a way, he’s achieved the balance he was searching for. And just in time, I might add. “Sixes & Sevens” could potentially open up this artist to a whole new audience.
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