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Non-Prog CD Reviews

Michael Rudd

Going to the Mountain

Review by Gary Hill

There is some great music here. This is built around roots music and Americana, but there is some stylistic range. My biggest issue here is the tempo.

I remember reading a book years ago about building a good album, and it said that you should make sure you vary the tempo from one track to the next. The writer said that if you find an album where the songs are good individually, but the disc feels dull, dig out your metronome. You’ll probably find out the tempo is about the same throughout. Whereas an album that really feels strong will have a wide range and songs with similar tempos will be separated.

Well, I didn’t get my metronome out, but I can tell you that’s a problem with this album without it. There just isn’t that much range in tempo. It’s a shame because there are some great songs here. They just tend to blend together because the tempos are too close. If you listen to each song, though, without playing the whole album at once, it should be a much stronger experience. 


This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2026  Volume 1. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2026.

Track by Track Review
Before the Demon Came

I love the bass on this. The cut has a cool roots music Americana vibe to it. There is a great bluesy groove here. This is such a great tune and excellent opener. 

My Love is True

While this is still a slow moving and fairly understated sound, the enhanced electric guitar and other elements bring the arrangement up a little from the previous tune. The track has a lot of Americana in the mix. It almost leans toward shoegaze, alternative rock, rather than the more bluesy elements of the opener.

Going to the Mountain

Another slow moving, retro styled piece of Americana is the agenda here.

They All Flew Away

Essentially a folk rock tune, this has a lot of style. The female backing vocals are tasty. The whole tune works well. It isn’t a huge departure from anything else here, though.

Going Away

Now, this track does bring some change. It’s bluesy. It’s also more rocking. The tempo is still pretty slow, though. There are hints of an almost space rock element to this cut. I’d consider this to be one of the highlights of the disc.

I'll Always Love You

Now, we get a slow moving, country style to it. While it does bring a change in terms of sounds and leanings, it’s not a big change otherwise. It doesn’t work as well as some of the others for me.

The Far Side

I dig the electric guitar soloing on this. The tune has a little bit of an rocking element, but also plenty of roots music.

End of Days

This is more of a stripped back folk tune. It’s a solid number with plenty of acoustic roots elements. It’s just that the formula is really wearing thin by this point.

It's a Hard Road

Another that’s more of the same through much of its run, the instrumental break really elevates this one. It has some cool piano work and jamming and a nice energy. The electric guitar beyond that point is quite strong, too.

Walk My Way

Now, this bouncy number does bring some much needed change. I love the guitar work on the tune, and it does feel a bit up-tempo from the rest of the album. The instrumental break brings some bluesy jazz vibes to bear.

 
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