Judging by the inlay notes to the album, Ed Dupas has put a lot of thought and emotion into this album. This is a good thing, nothing good ever comes from a half-hearted attempt at something, especially when the something you are creating relies on emotion to get it completed.
It’s pretty obvious this is some kind of ‘break up album’, which, in normal circumstances might make the average listener reach for their coat and head to the door, but this is no normal album and Ed Dupas is no average musician.
With song titles such as ‘Lonely’, ‘It All Sounds Like Leaving’ and ‘The Things I Miss’ you’d be forgiven for thinking this is going to be a sad, wallowing album where the singer blames himself for everything or is angry and blames everyone else, but it’s not. It’s actually quite a nice, uplifting album, that chooses to work through what has happened and concentrate on the next step, the next chapter and, in this case, the next song.
Dupas has one of those voices that screams of country, we’ve heard this voice before, it’s the tried and tested voice of a genre, seeps with emotion but is clear and acts as a fine storyteller. Set that voice against a strong supporting cast of eleven musicians, armed with good lyrics, and you’ve got yourself a strong Americana album.
The album suits the early mornings, songs to listen to over a coffee while the earth wakes and the world begins its daily hectic schedule. There are moments of rock in ‘State of The Nation’ and ‘Love Me Right’ to give the album a lift, to prove that there is more to Dupas’ bow than country tunes.
It’s an album that grows on you, it requires your attention and will benefit from repeat listens, closing track ‘On My Way’ stands out as my favourite. It suits being the swansong and has an almost optimistic mood about it, giving you this feeling that although things change and people leave, it’s the direction we move in afterwards that makes the difference.
So, yes, it’s a break up album, but one that decides to look on things with a feeling that maybe things will be better from now on.
