Chrissy Johnson Shake Where You're Steady Review by Gary Hill
Folk music, pop rock and more seem to merge on this set. It generally works pretty well, but there are a couple tracks that I felt weren’t as successful as the rest. I also think that it might have been a stronger release if this Chicago artist had trimmed the set a little. Still, there is a good variety and some intriguing music here.
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Track by Track Review
Greatest Abandon
Acoustic guitar serves as the backdrop for the first vocals. After that section, the arrangement fills out. This is a solid pop rock tune with some good hooks.
Anything
With some horn in the mix, there is a rather soulful, almost funky vibe to this track. I think I prefer this one to the opener.
Strange Fire
This is another that has some soulful things at play. It’s a slower track, so the funk edge is gone. There is a great retro feeling to it, but yet it’s also fresh. Organ and horn really contribute to the magic here. The bluesy guitar solo is great, too.
It Takes Imagination to Survive
With some country angles in the mix, this is more of a folk rock tune.
Runaway Love
A soft rock balladic motif is on the menu here. This has a roots music foundation. It does get a little bluesy rock angle later along the road.
Only Now
Folk music is the basic concept here. This has some country in the mix. It’s a ballad.
In the Meantime
This isn’t a big change, but rather a solid pop rock tune with some roots music built into it.
Backwater Blues
There are some hints of blues here, but mostly it’s built on the same kind of folky rock we’ve heard quite a bit here. There is something about this track that doesn’t work that well for me.
Soldier of Reverie
Folky soft rock is on the menu here. This is another that just feels a little awkward to me.
Falling
Another soft, folk rocker, this has some country in the mix. We’re back on track because this one works better than the last couple did.
Are You Coming Through
Country angles are definitely in place on this. The track also has some art music vibes. It’s a creative number that steps off the beaten path. I think it’s my favorite on the whole disc. The nearly spoken vocals on a lot of the track are a nice touch.
Pretty Little Heart
Another acoustic guitar based slow moving tune, this isn’t a change, but it’s reasonably effective.
