ARTIST:
Austin Crane


ALBUM:
A Place at the Table


KEY TRACKS:
Take it From a Ghost
The First Shall Be
My Timid Lamb






"I know that I am blind, but I would like to see"


David Gray has a twin, and he's currently residing in South Carolina.  What initially began as an honors thesis project, Austin Crane took academia to a whole new dimension by interpreting his literary analysis into music (see Valley Maker).  Now, after 3 years of playing together, Austin Crane and his band are definitely an established act.   Austin Crane's intense lyrics are drenched in emotion with a slight touch of spirituality, making for an interesting listen.

The album opens strong with heavy percussions and then seems to mellow more and more as it progresses.  Take it From a Ghost stands out the most for me in the mix because the lyrics are strange but interesting.  "Because I feel you in front of and behind of me"  Crane sings about an ominous presence haunting the spaces.  Lyrics like "I was watching you there, while you hung like a prayer" and "I know that you are wise and watching over me" make this track a true gem and Crane's profound voice only gives them more power.  

Austin Crane (second from the left)

Other up-beat tracks like "Tow the Line" make the album enjoyable but the album does seems to drag at points.  Moreover, Crane's voice, although interesting, can come across as abrasive at times and is likely to be an acquired taste for most.  Furthermore, at numerous points Crane's voice sounds so similar to David Gray's that it's almost distracting.


But just because this album wasn't particularly enjoyable for me, I'm still curious to hear more by Austin and his band.  I think his lyrics are particularly complex and am curious to hear what his future efforts will sound like.

LISTEN:  TAKE IT FROM A GHOST  |  THE FIRST SHALL BE  

NEXT WEEK:  BEN RECTOR  |  INTO THE MORNING