Chris Friesen is an artist from Grande Prairie, Alberta in Canada who recently released To Stand Among. He has been playing guitar and other instruments for about ten years and writing for six. In all honesty, from my experiences teaching and going through schooling, six years in is usually a point where musicians are just getting started.
Suffice it to say To Stand Among is fairly simple in a number of ways. The song structure is basic, the chords mostly stick to major and minor ones and the songs don’t seem to deviate from 4/4. That being said this is all you need to write a great pop song. On that note Friesen certainly displays some talent and potential on these songs. “Bureaucrats and Boondoggles” which is a reflective, somber song revolving around piano and vocals. I have to admit I immediately thought of Ben Folds Five because of the vocals. That should hopefully come off as a compliment because I always loved the vocals for that band. “Donnelly” changes things up with acoustic guitar. The guitar playing is solid with nuanced picking skill. “Donnelly” is about as somber as the opener. Friesen sings “I wish I had somewhere / Or something to be / Now I'm as lonely as summer In Donnelly.” The mood does pick up quite a bit with “Patchwork Heart.” The song even showcases some lively harmonica. “Make Me Wonder” is open to interpretation. The lyrics could be interpreted as pertaining to God, a romantic interest or something more. “The Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side” is completely a cappella while “Winter” is performed on a ukulele. The album continues with the light and breezy song “See a Star for the First Time” and the much more reflective “What I Left Behind” which is a highlight. Friesen closes with “Don't Be Far Away” which seems to yearn for the presence of another person. To Stand Among is minimal but eclectic. There was enough variety to keep it interesting. Moving forward I think Friesen should consider working with a producer/engineer to get more of a studio quality intimacy to the songs. Overall, this was a solid album which builds a foundation for Friesen. I’m looking forward to more of his work.
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