Pitch Perfect
  • Pitch Perfect
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

luke vassella - ordinary men

12/10/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Luke Vassella

Ordinary Men
self-released; 2013

3.6 out of 5

By Sean Dennison
Ordinary Men is part of Luke Vassella's contribution to the documentary “Undermining Australia: Coal Versus Communities.” It's four songs; three of which are instrumental, of sparse, primarily acoustic guitar music that is by turns melancholy and resilient. It's a good fit for a documentary carrying environmental and social messages, but it works on its own: a softly undulating world of single notes, soft chords and rustic aesthetics. Still, for good measure, Vassella also threw in silver coins as shakers, wooden sticks, traveller's instruments, mandolin, harmonica, and the classic country sound of pedal steel. 

The title track is brilliant. It is a breathy, piano-driven affair with spacious notes, swathes of backing female vocal harmonies and in the background, like the brightest point of a sunset before it completely disappears, gently constructed string arrangements and overdubbing. The lyrics give tribute to everyday people content to go about their lives. "No one gives a damn about them / and that's kinda the way they like it" says Vassella before putting himself in the same category. This is the only track to feature Vassella singing, which would already make it stand out from the rest but it is also the most subdued in tone.

The main theme for "Undermining Australia" also makes effective use of composition, with soft piano tinkling and guitar strumming suddenly stopping, then beginning again with more overdubbing (and harmonica!) before giving way to low crescendo of a vocal choir. Vassella repeats the process for dramatic effect, and it works splendidly. The other two tracks are less complicated but nonetheless pleasant. "Moreton Bay" is a super-stripped down track with just Vassella and a guitar and I believe a pedal-steel guitar. "Mine Hum" is more textured but doesn't deviate too far away from its predecessor.

Vassella is an artist who I would say creates music with strength through simplicity, as his MO. Ordinary Men is a taut listen not in spite of the music's general calmness but because of it. There are moments when I'm reminded of Japancakes, and to a lesser degree John Fahey. I think fans of raw folk music will find the most enjoyment in this EP, but the quiet beauty is worth consideration from fans of any genre.
Become A Fan
official website
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by pitchperfect158
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
© Pitch Perfect 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Pitch Perfect
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact