Mike O'Connor is a singer/songwriter from Middletown, NJ. For the least three to four years he has been working on Pipes. This is an album that sounds like it came from New Jersey. I mean it hits all the perfect Americana influences that came from that region of the country.
The album opens with “Weird” which all things considered is very straightforward Americana. I thought the song was very well delivered and written but there were no surprises emotionally or structurally. There is the combination of nostalgia and solace that comes from the genre with lyrics that also go down the center of the bullseye of expectation. He has more success with “Hang(Over It)” which is a little more reserved and intimate. O’Connor gives a great vocal performance. There is a good amount of pain and reflection in his delivery. “Pipes" is a heartfelt song that is laced with personal lyrics related to his grandpa who passed away. I loved the whistling that starts the song off and continues through some of the song. You can’t but appreciate the gratitude in the song. “The Middle Seat” strives for epic heights and is arguably the most pop oriented song in the batch. On the other end of the spectrum is the intimate “Emma, From Canada” and the sparse “Remain.” There are hints of Pink Floyd on “Ode to Elvis On the Ferry (Out On the Water).” The closer “My Atlantic Sea” was my favorite intimate song on the album. His vocals might sound their best on this song. My only slight critique would be that it felt like O'Connor was wearing his musical influences on his sleeve. As much as I liked these songs I wanted just a little more of that X-factor that defined a signature sound. On the plus side he is still very young and has all the basics and more covered to be a successful musician. This is a good album from beginning to end. O'Connor has real talent and I hope this is just the beginning for him. Recommended.
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