Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Max Simmons is a Chicago-based singer/songwriter who has adopted the vulnerable yet impassioned vocal style and minor key folk/roots sound that the likes of Josh Garrels use to communicate the often troubled contents of their hearts. Simmons is a talented vocalist, songwriter and guitarist but, unlike Garrels' work, there is ultimately no effort to communicate any hope amidst the unrelenting despair in the 10 songs featured on this release. Proceedings kick off with Simmons taking out his ire against a sofa-surfing friend in "The Arrow Song" before getting deeper into what sounds like an acrimonious relationship breakdown in the likes of "At Least Tonight" and the pedal steel-festooned country song "Normally". Before long, Simmons starts out on a series of tracks that tell of a presumably dysfunctional and destructive relationship with his late father whilst taking the opportunity to criticise other family members whilst the likes of "Easy Road" and "Open Up Your Gates" charts what sounds like Simmons losing his faith in God and calling into question his own salvation. Finishing with the suicide note-like "Goodbye", this is an album that communicates some of the artist's darkest thoughts - albeit done with musical skill and ultimate candour - but the lack of even a glimmer of light in the ensuing darkness make for a very depressing and, for those battling their own demons, unhelpful collection of songs. My hope is that Simmons is able to overcome the issues documented on this release to allow him to live life to the full and that a more positive follow-up will be the result.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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