Nick Samuels - Far Away From Here

Nick Samuels

Far Away From Here
self-released; 2015

3.5 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Nick Samuels is an artist with a long list of accomplishments. His songs have been featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, MTV, Bravo, TLC, DIY, Nickelodeon and Sony Playstation providing the soundtrack for over 80 programs including "The Real World,” "NFL Football," "UFC" and "Switched at Birth." One of his songs “Like a Bruise” was chosen as a winner in the 16th Annual Billboard Magazine World Song Contest. That's really just the beginning. His latest release Far Away From Here is a four-song EP that showcases relatively straightforward alternative/rock songs.

The opener “It's Only Love” was an utilized clean guitar and also happened to be the highlight. I thought Samuels’ vocals were at their best on this song and I also thought the additional percussive elements were a nice element. The song is catchy, infectious and has a good amount of changes to keep your attention. This song and the others certainly do give off more of a ‘90s alternative vibe rather than sounding contemporary. Nothing wrong with that if you ask me. 

Samuels breaks out distortion for the title track. I have to admit that I thought his voice sounded more at home against an acoustic but maybe that's just me. The lyrics are a bit saccharine at times and feel more likened to mainstream pop songs. He sings, “I want to fly until I’m far away from here.”

I loved the technical proficiency and blues plastered all over “New Moon.” It definitely had a different vibe than the songs that came before. In fact the verse and chorus separated. The chorus rocks out hard in a ‘90s alternative kind of way while the verse touts a blues scales pulled off by an electric guitar. I thought the verse and vocal harmonies were the most notable aspects to the song.
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He closes with “Silver Dollar” which has a slight country/rock vibe between the melody and lyrics. That being said the song has transitions and changes that feel distinct as if they briefly slide into a different style. Take for instance right after the two-minute mark where the guitar riffs get heavy and his vocal change where it ever so briefly feels like metal. Far Away From Here upon first listen seems like a basic alternative album but with multiple spins reveals some more complexity. Recommended.

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