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

The RAin King - 4th of july

11/18/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Rain King

4th Of July
self-released; 2013

3.5 out of 5

By Ted Rogen
Michael Copeland is an indie/folk singer from Crestview, FL who recently released his debut album entitled 4th of July. It contains 15 songs that are well written but also suffer from production issues. (i.e. Copeland’s voice often clips causing digital distortion, the guitar sounds thin, etc.) Despite these issues the songs still shine through. Copeland was influenced by Andy Hull, Conor Oberst, Bob Dylan, Isaac Brock and Paul Simon, but his songs seem to veer closest to Oberst. Like early Bright Eyes’ records the songs are all acoustic and contain a fair amount of  melancholy as well as thoughtful lyrics.

I have nothing against an album that features an acoustic guitar and vocals but I would be lying if I said that the album wouldn't have benefited from some more variation – drums, bass, even vocal harmonies with another singer would have added  some much needed change to the lengthy album.

Copeland’s biggest strength is his lyrics and his ability to construct first-person narratives. Take for instance the title track “4th of July” in which he describes the feeling he encountered at a specific time and place. His self-deprecating lyrics on “Misunderstood” are sometimes inventive and also seem like the thoughts one would have as an angst-ridden teenager. Copeland sings “and I thought how could I ever believe that anyone sees anything in me.” To his credit Copeland blurs the line between his current thoughts, reflections and feelings and the ones he had in the past. He continues with his self-deprecating lyrics as he sings “I get so tired of falling short of almost  every single thing that I do” on “Sunday Mornings Wasted.” Copeland explores being conscious of your own shortcomings quite often on this album but also delves into many other complicated themes which give the album a lot of substance.

After listening to this album it is obvious that Copeland is talented and has put a lot of heart into his songs. The one issue is it sounds very similar to early Bright Eyes material at times. The good news is Copeland is only 20 years old. Hopefully in time he can start to find a style that is uniquely his own. 
Become A Fan
bandcamp
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