Voyage on Soulmate Seas – John Consalvo (reviewed by Dave Franklin)

The idea and imagery of the voyage explicit in the title sets this album up perfectly. It allows John Consalvo to make some wonderfully poetic descriptions and metaphorical references to the sea, travel and movement, and transition, and it also captures the ebbing and flowing of sounds and styles that “Voyage on Soulmate Seas” is built on.

It’s creative eclecticism that is also announced by the first two tracks. Skipping over the intro piece, we come to “Where Do I Find Her?” a folk-infused indie song built on shimmering acoustic guitars and ever-building sonic weight, as much on anthemic grace as groove. Contrastingly, this is followed by “Jilly Bean,” a buoyant and bouncing, happy-clappy, punchy piece of acoustic pop, and just these two pieces sitting next to each other signposts that we have entered very eclectic sonic waters.

And then we shake the magic eight ball again and find “Alone” taking us down a route that wanders between ambient lulls and searing highs, proof that you don’t need to be wielding a low-slung electric guitar to make an impact: here those rock instruments may deliver solos and power us out of the song but not before John Consalvo has used big, cinematic, wide-screen acoustic guitars to significant effect. (This song, in particular, has me thinking that there is something Neil Diamond-esque about his voice, and that is a pretty good reference point to be saddled with if you ask me.)

And so the album tacks and turns through all manner of musical waters. “Every Second” is staccato-riffed hard rock, although John’s take on hard rock is one forged of neat dynamic change and nuanced arrangements. As if to reinforce the contrasting nature of the album one more time, this is followed by “The Miss,” a short and gentle instrumental built on acoustic cascades. Then “Show Me How To Live” sees him go full folk, a deft and delicate, spacious and unique piece, vocals make pleas to higher powers who have forsaken him, and the music drifts and floats through behind him, untethered, beautiful, and powerful in its understatement.

“Now We’re Off” puts things to bed in fine style, kick-ass indie-rock that growls and grooves and grinds but is, as always, drenched in clever musical motifs and moves, rock that walks that perfect line between the raw and raucous and the poised and polished. Perfect.

Remember when artists picked a lane and stuck to a genre? I guess John Consalvo does, which is why he chooses not to follow in their tracks, preferring to go off-road, beat new paths across the musical map, and go wherever the mood takes him. An attitude that more people should adopt.

Pre-order at Apple Music