Greg harr - I'm Doing Well

Greg Harr

I'm Doing Well
self-released; 2013

3.6 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Greg Harr is a singer-songwriter from Phoenixville, Pa who recently released his debut album entitled I’m Doing Well. The album is quite eclectic as it draws from various genres such as country, rock and folk but as you go through the album you realize that the music isn't what makes this album standout; It’s the lyrics, Harr’s various vocal styles and unpretentious tone of the album. Harr has some tender moments on this album but also has some lyrics that will make you snicker if not give out a little chuckle. Take for instance the first line of “Happier Than You” which starts out with a self-deprecating line “I don’t sing for family and I don’t sing for kin, And Lord knows I ain’t singing for the money rolling in.” 

The other thing that is interesting about Harr is that he has multiple singing styles. For example the opener “My Darling” sounds like a traditional country song with a bluegrass twist where his vocals sound carefree, are deep and have this slight comical feel. The next song ”My Name Up In Lights” is a ballad where his vocals feel more  refined and have a bit more of  a serious tone to them.

“4 Chorded Life” is a folk song strummed on an acoustic guitar that contains an ample amount of dark humor that I thoroughly enjoyed. Some noteworthy lyrics are “And I always had hope like Jeff Tweedy I’d write But my metaphors aren't up too par. I’ll be the reverse Johnny Cash, a strange man in white. But in truth I just suck at guitar.” One of the highlights on the album is “I Got You Now” which finds a good balance between Harr’s voice and the music which is  a slower country tune with a tinge of melancholy. Another highlight that has a more serious tone is “Ghosts In Photographs,” which revolves around sparse piano and a delicate melody picked on guitar.

The only thing that is holding back this album is that it isn't very balanced. Ironic and comical songs like  “4 Chorded Life” seem very distant from a heart wrenching ballad like “Ghosts In Photographs.” Despite these issues I’m Doing Well has a number of well-written songs that are easy to get hooked on.