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Non-Prog CD Reviews

Neil Carswell Good Man's Journey Review by Tim Jones Carswell has put out a quality album with some good songs on it. Many of the numbers sound like Bob Seger, others like Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, or Rod Stewart. Unfortunately, others sound like country. Carswell is obviously all over the place, and this album suffers a bit because of it. However, there are some quality songs here that deserve attention. This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2007 Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review

The Cain Preacher This sounds like it could be Bon Jovi. There are lots of crunchy guitars and gritty vocals.

Good Man's Journey This track starts quietly, and always reminds me of Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive.” Carswell shows off his wailing vocals here.

Ruby Jane Drums and bass lead to countrified hard rock (expected from a southern rock artist). The song goes from hard to soft to hard to soft again, creating a great contrast. Again, there are touches of Bon Jovi throughout.

Glasses of Wine Piano starts this one up, and, at least from the introduction, one can almost imagine Journey. Carswell's vocals, however, are much rougher than Steve Perry's. A good piano-filled track, this still manages to rock.

Edge of the Green A country/Bob Seger mix, this is slow, simple, and a bit dull, but builds up to a good conclusion.

Poor Side of the Tracks Another Bob Seger-style song, female background vocals strengthen the connection.

Walking Out on You Hints of Elvis Presley show up here. Slow, soft and sad, background female vocals make this song tolerable. The chorus repeats itself over and over again, and gets old pretty quickly.

Malibu Days This is Bob Seger-style with the same type of chorus and vocals. Piano and guitar permeate.

Never Been Born An annoying chorus and rhyming scheme doom this song. It sounds a bit like The Eagles, and strings help lighten up the easy-going verses.

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