Taking Leave - Alan Lastufka & Tom Milsom

BUY:

Physical Copy / Amazon / iTunes

This is hopefully my first review of many - but even if it's my only review, I'm glad that it's gone to this album for reasons that I will explain in this entry...

The record's wikipedia states:
"Production on Taking Leave began in December of 2008 when Lastufka sent a demo recording of the album to Milsom. The demos were mostly acoustic and Lastufka asked Milsom to help produce the songs for a commercial release. Milsom went into the studio in Spring 2009 after rewriting most of the music to replace the original demos. "

I bought this album on iTunes last week, and have listened to it a hell of a lot since then. The album as a whole is wonderful - it's a beautiful collection of halcyon, harmonious, expressive songs but still maintains that all important element of fun. :)

On to the track by track review...

Track 01: Just A Boy

Length: 3:21

Lyricist: Lastufka/Kinley
Composer: Tom Milsom

"now I’m growing up and people say

I look like my father more each day

and I smile as my stomach churns inside

seventeen years of looking at his face

speed’s the key as he starts his race

and just a little pill to help him end his ride."

A seemingly light hearted song until you look into the lyrics - "Valium brings him down" "I knew he'd never make it through that ride" "I looked in the miror and was filled with grief when I saw my father's face staring back at me" Exquisitely written, and charmingly performed, this is one of my favourite tracks.

Track 02: The Wind

Length: 2:47

Lyricist: Lastufka/Kinley
Composer: Tom Milsom

"she saw him coming over with a rush of adrenaline

running so fast didn’t quite know why

closer now emotions started overflowing

memories blow in and cloud her mind.

the wind grabbed and pushed and pulled her

the wind took her by surprise

the wind was as fast as she was

the wind made her want to fly."

Tom Milsom's soothing vocals and the expertly arranged techno-esque score to this track make you feel like you're flying in some sort of computer game dreamland.

What more could a Nerdfighter want?

Track 03: Can't

Length: 2:07

Lyricist: Lastufka
Composer: Tom Milsom

"He can't see clearly

Through love tinted eyes

Her erotic, robotic bedroom lies

Paid off in a blur for the minute he was let inside her

He can't complain about he strain

Of her relationship games"

Oh, synths. <3

Stepping aside from the lyrical genius and fantastic music, I have to point out the awesome fact that is: "The primary percussive sounds for "Can't" are a sampled inkjet printer which was looped to the beat of the song." That's beyond innovative, that's just pure win.

Track 04: The Mirror Song (featuring Kristina Horner)

Length: 3:16

Lyricist: Lastufka
Composer: Milsom

"and now I'm watching you, watching me

from beyond places that I believe in

and as I hear your way with words

I lose where mine have been

its like every page we took

was from a fairy tale picture book...

I'd forgotten how happy we'd looked, I'd forgotten how happy we'd looked"

This song is undoubtedly the most beautiful track on the EP, and definitely my favourite track. The piano part ranges from simple chord progressions to complex single note patterns, and it accompanies the vocals perfectly, erasing the need for any other instruments. Kristina Horner's sings softly but with impeccable clarity, complementing Milsom's own vocals perfectly, and the octave harmonies they share make the chorus impossibly catchy.

Track 05: The Sparks Fly Upward

Length: 0:41

Lyricist: n/a
Composer: Milsom

"call now is there anyone who will answer you

and to which of the holy ones will you turn

for anger slays the foolish man

and jealousy kills the simple"

The Sparks Fly Upward is the shortest track at just 41 seconds. It's an inspiring from the book of Job, even to someone non-religious, and it's a nice surprise to hear an excerpt of spoken word on a musical album :)

Track 06: Forgiven

Length: 3:16

Lyricist: Lastufka
Composer: Milsom

"the day my boots lead me to the place where I hide

nearly drowned, committing social suicide

lost in the willows weeping

lost in His book and His vague teaching

my blood and body blurred the words"

It's an inspiring song, and really shows off the range of Milsom's voice. The capitalisation of "His" in the official lyrics hint at biblical references, giving the song even more depth - if possible - and adding more emotion. Incidentally, the guitar solo and outro guitars were performed by a famous hollywood TV soundtrack music artist person - Craig Sharmat - and the hip-hop artist Skee-Lo.

I may add to this review at a later date, as the more I listen to it, the more I have to write about. I haven't mentioned a single negative point about this album, and that's because I have no criticism for it whatsoever. It manages to be a classic acoustic album without falling into the meaningless boyband-like drivel that most people have come to accept as the norm. I don't know if I'll start a star system for this blog, but this would definitely get 5/5 :)

DFTBA!

- Rachel

BUY:

Physical Copy / Amazon / iTunes

Album website: http://taking-leave.com/