Album Commentary: Jason Yates

Elements of blues and folk-rock intersperse through the songs of Jason Yates’ self-titled album. His influences and expert keyboard playing on the songs make this album one that you will have on a continuous loop on your mp3.

“My Way Out” starts the festivities as Yates’ piano intro sets the tone for the upbeat track. The musical arrangement makes this song infectious. Reminiscent of Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” this track has the sound of a classic. You’ve heard it before, yet it’s new and that familiar feeling will have you in a good mood long after the song is over.

“Nobody So Far” deals with people who aren’t as they appear to be. As the protagonist sings about a betrayal in the third person, you wonder just who is the wronged party here. The rhythmic arrangement will have you thinking that this is the B-side of an Al Green record, but no – it’s all Yates. The only thing that gives it away is Yates’ rock-blues-style voice.

“Comin On Back” has heavy guitar licks that makes this song over long before you want it to be. Influences as far-flung as jazz and country combine to make this an unforgettable track.

The piano-organ sound in the intro of “Paper Tents” underlines this song about the mixed messages of love. The tune is constructed much like its title – one spot of rain and (like the relationship he sings about) it could all fall apart. Luckily for Yates, the sun shines on the rhythmic arrangement of this track. Helped by Marc Ford (lead guitarist from the Black Crowes), this track is rich with emotion and will resonate with you long after it’s over.

You just want “I Run” to keep on going. One would not think that a haunting melody interwoven with expressed uncertainty and doubt in the lyrics would make for a song that you would hum long after it’s over, but that’s exactly what “I Run” does.

Arguably the best song on the album, “To Reason” reflects the best of an amalgam of genres. What could have been easily an R&B, blues, folk-country mess, instead is a well-crafted story that unfolds with one of the most memorable rhythmic arrangements off the album.

In the tradition of men who can effectively sing R&B, Yates touches on the Motown/Philadelphia sound with “To Chance.” It’s the piano that truly takes this song to another place as it propels the lyrics into an emotionally-restrained direction.

Although not one of the strongest songs on the album “Tear Drops” is still a solid track. The dreamy melody betrays the true meaning of the words as this song struggles not to be a love-lost number.

Yates shows his skills as a poet in “Sing for You” as the images he sings about comes alive inside the listener’s mind. The lyrics are highlighted by the melancholic, sing-song musical arrangement. It’s a song about loneliness and loss, but you don’t have to be in a particular state to listen to it.

Overall, Yates has a solid album that cannot be pinned down by genre, and that’s a good thing. There’s something for everyone here, and depending on your mood, you just might like all the tracks. That isn’t a bad thing at all.