Album Details

• Artist: Michel Ackermann
• Album: Cole Porter's Blues
• Label: Independent
• Year of Release: 2010
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: hstisgod on 2010-06-13

Our old friend Classic songwriter/composer Michel Ackermann is back and he's even more so adapted to mainstream rock and melodies.  But beyond the basics of Ackermann's approach and transition sits a unique branding of raspy Lounge Rock with a kick of that extra Moxy most artists don't quite have.  And no marketing scheme will assist in achieving such character.

Sort of like the uncomfortability you get when you listen to Bob Dylan seep out his lyrics, sometimes you wince, but sometimes, pure amazement the holds.  This raspy energy also reminds me a bit more like Dave Matthews Band this time around, ie; the bridge on "How Long". Cole Porter's Blues is an awesome ballet of rhythmic knots and progression.   Perhaps a bit too fast for the normal lounge crowd, I enjoy the heck out of this live. I couldn't say the same for DMB..."Drunk On The Moon" begins like a Deftones Death-tro, of course the rest of the song is a bit ruckus, but with its multi-layered vocals. 

   More down to earth, hotel lobby sound is tracks like "Absolutely no-one to blame" and "Bye, Bye, Bye" for its tasty brass. Track nine, "To Save Us All" reminds my tapping foot of another IOTY (Indie Of The Year) alum, Katey Laurel.  These two should really get together.  Piano backbone opens a wide path of adjoining drums and guitars.  Having not ever read of, but heard the name Cole Porter several times, wikipedia.org says "He was noted for his sophisticated, bawdy lyrics, clever rhymes and complex forms." It all makes sense now.

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