Article written by - John Linnell
Singer-songwriters have a job at times to set themselves apart. There's only so much one person can do with a guitar or piano, and however many sessioned musicians or more permanent members they draft in, the songs are usually centered largely around the vocalist's instrument(s). Interesting as all this is, and natural as it may be to such talented artists, there remains a subtle but beautiful art to the pure form of the song writer.
The folk genre of music is quite possibly the most relaxing genre of music ever created. Sure, Bob Dylan had some pretty lively songs, but folk contains simple instrumentation, usually a guitar and simple percussive instrument, along with a singer weaving a story about life, love, or anything that comes to their mind for that matter. It is hard to be considered a bad musician in the folk genre.
Chris's musical style is the first thing that grabbed me, even before the brilliant, lucid lyrics and incisively universal themes. Socially aware, sensitive (nearly to the point of being touchy), a music that a person could listen to over and over and still discover and appreciate new things about it.
Chris Molitor's The Dawn is a strong testament to Chris's wealth of delicately affecting folk material, and an enjoyable retrospective on his career so far.
Most striking about Chris is his ability to write a simple yet meaningful acoustic song - a task so many singer-songwriters attempt, often with little success. Chris has a knack at writing simple intimate acoustic melodies detailing the beginnings of a young relationship, and his view of the world. But Molitor isn't all about cheesy heartfelt numbers , he really wears his heart on his sleeve with every lyric, and every guitar strum. It's a task to translate a mans emotions into a song and have it conveyed successfully. Molitor pulls it off quite well.
The opening track The Dawn is a notable song with many facets. The song starts off very quiet with a soft guitar into. A beautiful cello and piano sneak in and add some character and structure to the song. Throughout the song more instruments are added gradually. The song slowly crescendos, and by the end the song escalates into a full band, foot stomping hoe down. This song makes it impossible for anyone to sit still. It is definitely pleasing to hear a folk song that is anything but depressing.
You're My Baby is a lovey dovey song that has a lot of depth, in which Chris expresses his love to his girl. Chris does a great job at painting a vivid picture with his lyrics "baby look outside / the sun just said good morn'n / not a gray cloud in the sky / what a wonderful feel'n." To me it seems like Chris is not afraid to daydream and put his thoughts into a song. His raspy, laid-back vocals provide a perfect vehicle to drive his conscientious and empathetic lyrics home as the listener happily goes along for the ride.
The Forest is a simple song musically, but Chris makes up for the simplicity with heart filled lyrics. The lyrics are a vehicle that brings you right into the writers experience. Although this is one of Chris's weaker tracks it still fits nicely with the flow of the album.
Molitor’s lyrics border on poetry. It is very refreshing to hear a raw account of those feelings, having experienced many of them myself. Indeed, the theme of The Dawn is appropriately, finding a new love, day dreaming, changing seasons, and a longing mans heart.
The Vagabond Motel is another one of Chris's great songs that has a lot of dynamics, and chemistry. For me I could relate to the idea of being free to take on the world. Beginning with beautiful guitar picking, the song really sets itself apart form the others. Steering away from rudimentary guitar strumming The song stands out on its own. Chris's ability to write lyrics with great metaphors is what stands out in this song. With lyrics such as "My mamma always told me to always keep my feet on the ground, but the fear of flight cannot be found anywhere inside of me" Chris creates stories and messages and conveys whats in his heart rather well. Throughout the entire song there is a shaker or other simple percussive instrument to keep the feel of the song in tact and a bass weaved in with banjos, tambourines, and the an instrument I've always loved; the Vibraslap.
The Dawn is an impressive EP that brings forth all of Chris's greatest strengths as a songwriter, lyrically, and musically. There is not a dull moment on this album, and each listen enhances the experience that much more. The rush of emotion on this album is felt with a cohesive collection of tracks. Chris Molitor does not demand respect here, but he earns it nonetheless with this groundbreaking EP.
Singer-songwriters have a job at times to set themselves apart. There's only so much one person can do with a guitar or piano, and however many sessioned musicians or more permanent members they draft in, the songs are usually centered largely around the vocalist's instrument(s). Interesting as all this is, and natural as it may be to such talented artists, there remains a subtle but beautiful art to the pure form of the song writer.
The folk genre of music is quite possibly the most relaxing genre of music ever created. Sure, Bob Dylan had some pretty lively songs, but folk contains simple instrumentation, usually a guitar and simple percussive instrument, along with a singer weaving a story about life, love, or anything that comes to their mind for that matter. It is hard to be considered a bad musician in the folk genre.
Chris's musical style is the first thing that grabbed me, even before the brilliant, lucid lyrics and incisively universal themes. Socially aware, sensitive (nearly to the point of being touchy), a music that a person could listen to over and over and still discover and appreciate new things about it.
Chris Molitor's The Dawn is a strong testament to Chris's wealth of delicately affecting folk material, and an enjoyable retrospective on his career so far.
Most striking about Chris is his ability to write a simple yet meaningful acoustic song - a task so many singer-songwriters attempt, often with little success. Chris has a knack at writing simple intimate acoustic melodies detailing the beginnings of a young relationship, and his view of the world. But Molitor isn't all about cheesy heartfelt numbers , he really wears his heart on his sleeve with every lyric, and every guitar strum. It's a task to translate a mans emotions into a song and have it conveyed successfully. Molitor pulls it off quite well.
The opening track The Dawn is a notable song with many facets. The song starts off very quiet with a soft guitar into. A beautiful cello and piano sneak in and add some character and structure to the song. Throughout the song more instruments are added gradually. The song slowly crescendos, and by the end the song escalates into a full band, foot stomping hoe down. This song makes it impossible for anyone to sit still. It is definitely pleasing to hear a folk song that is anything but depressing.
You're My Baby is a lovey dovey song that has a lot of depth, in which Chris expresses his love to his girl. Chris does a great job at painting a vivid picture with his lyrics "baby look outside / the sun just said good morn'n / not a gray cloud in the sky / what a wonderful feel'n." To me it seems like Chris is not afraid to daydream and put his thoughts into a song. His raspy, laid-back vocals provide a perfect vehicle to drive his conscientious and empathetic lyrics home as the listener happily goes along for the ride.
The Forest is a simple song musically, but Chris makes up for the simplicity with heart filled lyrics. The lyrics are a vehicle that brings you right into the writers experience. Although this is one of Chris's weaker tracks it still fits nicely with the flow of the album.
Molitor’s lyrics border on poetry. It is very refreshing to hear a raw account of those feelings, having experienced many of them myself. Indeed, the theme of The Dawn is appropriately, finding a new love, day dreaming, changing seasons, and a longing mans heart.
The Vagabond Motel is another one of Chris's great songs that has a lot of dynamics, and chemistry. For me I could relate to the idea of being free to take on the world. Beginning with beautiful guitar picking, the song really sets itself apart form the others. Steering away from rudimentary guitar strumming The song stands out on its own. Chris's ability to write lyrics with great metaphors is what stands out in this song. With lyrics such as "My mamma always told me to always keep my feet on the ground, but the fear of flight cannot be found anywhere inside of me" Chris creates stories and messages and conveys whats in his heart rather well. Throughout the entire song there is a shaker or other simple percussive instrument to keep the feel of the song in tact and a bass weaved in with banjos, tambourines, and the an instrument I've always loved; the Vibraslap.
The Dawn is an impressive EP that brings forth all of Chris's greatest strengths as a songwriter, lyrically, and musically. There is not a dull moment on this album, and each listen enhances the experience that much more. The rush of emotion on this album is felt with a cohesive collection of tracks. Chris Molitor does not demand respect here, but he earns it nonetheless with this groundbreaking EP.
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