Sit back listeners - this might be a fun ride. But, do not get too comfortable, there might be a time or two to get up and start dancing. Sometimes the mood is full of funk, sometimes the mood is of the almost-southern rock sound from the late '60s/early '70s. All the while, singer Ryan David Orr allows his listeners to throw around lots of accolades for his CD Mordred The Quarter Known.
Never mind the tittle for a bit and just concentrate on the power punch guitar riffs in the first track, "April I'm Sure the Stars Understand." Orr creates this cunning current of funky rock. His voice is full of soul and not raspy enough to think he has been living in a smoke-filled bar the last five years. There is something about the simple change ups and the chorus he has orchestrated. It is almost a bit Adam Ant in "Wonderful." Almost.
Need for Multi-Layering
What is already apparent in this first song is Orr's need for multi-layered songwriting. His songs are not quick pop tunes, but finely tuned chapters in a story. The second track, "Butterfly," continues his intriguing use of words. He has this talent for putting together prose that almost sound Elizabethian. Only, they don't. There is this light he brings to the words as if he's orchestrating the words to the listener right there. "Butterfly: is rather slow, and bring down the mood a bit from the first track. The listener feels his anguish.
"Carry Me Home" is this pleasant, acoustic guitar driven track. Orr's voice is romantic, soothing and honest. This song has a folk-ish mood to it. The next track, "Hope and Fire" channels a more hippy-tone. The song has a great beat to it and keeps the feet tapping. The lyrics are hopeful and Orr's unwinds the words pleasantly.
"If You Want Love" really turns up the fun. The brass-sound has this hint of the band Chicago. Orr's inclusion of the melodic electric guitar is only muffled out by his strong vocals. The faster pace continues with "It's Only You." Be sure to also check out "Woman" and "Write It On the Wall."
Overall CD Review is B+
Overall, Mordred The Quarter Known gets a B+. This writer is still confused by the album title, but has to hand it to Orr for his lyrical canvas. He has a vast amount of energy put into romancing the listener - making them feel as if they were in a different space and time. Not so much though that the listener feels like they are in a Lord of the Rings movie, but rather, he collects bits and pieces from different genres - 60s funk, 70s rocker soul and at times New Age earthy tones. So colorful!
Melissa Kucirek - Melissa L. Kucirek M.A. University of Nebraska - Omaha (2004) B.A. University of Nebraska - Omaha (2001) I'm a freelance writer ...
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