NEW MUSIC
SELECTIVE HEARING | Robert Berman
NF JOHN VAN DEUSEN JAMIE ROWE
The Search (I Am) Origami Part 3 – A Catacomb Hymn This Is Home
“I’m a Christian,” explained Nate Feurstein in How can you tell which musicians have a love Rock and country music have had a love-hate
a recent Billboard interview exploring how his of music and not just a career in it? It’s pretty relationship from the days of Carl Perkins and
vulgarity-free rap album seized the number one simple; they make music. Lots of music. Phil Elvis Presley in the 50’s to the late 60’s work of
spot for overall album sales. Not that he sold well Keaggy makes music, with 50 albums and the Byrds and Rolling Stones, on through the
because he’s a Christian, but his faith may partly counting. Kevin Max makes music. And John Allman Brothers, Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley,
explain his willingness to bare his weaknesses Van Deusen makes music, including Catacomb and Jason Isbell. So, it’s not such a stretch
and insecurities in rap, a genre known for Hymn, his fourth release in the last two years. that Jamie Rowe, vocalist for beloved hard
posturing and boasting than confession. If art is But he’s not sacrificing quality for quantity. rock outfit Guardian, would turn his talents to
born from pain, there’s plenty of both here. The Hymn moves Van Deusen away from his recent a project that, as he sings, is “Two shots of
title track kicks off this musically generous and acoustic projects back into an indie rock frame country, three shots of rock… a little splash of
emotionally exhaustive collection (19 tracks, that compares favorably with Matthew Sweet pop”. His raspy, gravelly baritone is well suited
72 minutes!) with portentous backing string or the Byrds. “Steal From Myself” even has an to this collection of songs about family and faith
and choral sounds. Many tracks survey at the early Beatles vibe. Comparing a newer artist and those “looking to heaven to get through
stresses of fame. The criticism, the pressure to a perennial favorite is a good way to start a hell.” Country music has also proved hospitable
to perform, the frustrations of hangers-on and flame war, but put this one on, and you’ll find to religious sentiments, so it’s not complete
clueless journalists. “What’s your definition of yourself reaching for the “repeat album” button. whiplash for a song about a tailgate party to
success?” (from “Why”) “Change” and “My Like all good rock vocalists, Van Deusen can’t drop in an encouragement that “The Father,
Stress” contemplate the dangers of spending be pegged easily, shifting from a Sufjan Stevens Son, and the Holy Ghost give you strength
too much time contemplating one’s pain. “It’s tenor croon to a Michael Stipe guttural quaver when you need it most”. A bit of fiddle, a bit
like I hate it and I love it at the same time”. “Time” in just a few bars. of crunchy metal guitar, a bit of fun in the sun
is a tribute to his wife; “I Miss the Days” adds
and the Son.
a gospel choir to its evocation of childhood
nostalgia. NF works again with producer/co-
writer Tommee Proffitt, who keeps the backing
tracks intense without obscuring the intense
vocal delivery: less Eminem-indebted than
before but no less passionate.
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October 2019
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