The daylight is dimming. I pour myself a glass of the Pride of
Chippewa Falls, kick off my shoes, make sure the dogs are fed, and cozy
into a melancholy sunset... A perfect soundtrack accompanies this
moment: the latest record from Minneapolis-based songsmith, Brad Senne.
Aerial Views – from its wintery-chilling opener, "Sing &
Dance," to the weirdly-but-truly Peter Gabriel-esque closer,
"Chatterbox" (a misnomer, even if it serves as an obscurely-referenced
tribute to the Twin Cities' Chatterbox Pubs) – plays more like the
Pacific Northwest or Misty Appalachia more than your traditional
Minnesota Singer/songwriter (i.e. Mason Jennings, Chris Koza – though a
young Leo Kotke could be accused of inspiring Senne's
skilled-but-understated fingerpicking). Senne is bonafide woodsy, but
maintains a (post-)modernity that makes him accessible to city
slickers. Think Sam Beam, but less beardy/turn-of-the-century – and
less concerned with religious imagery, poetry, politics, personal
affairs, or any ambivalence that typically make songwriters intriguing.
Not that Brad can't pen a tune. He'd just rather make you feel
something with his overall ambience than turn a quick lyrical trick,
ala Bob Dylan, circa 1963.
A near solo-effort (guest drums on
one track and post-production help from Ben Durrant of Andrew Bird/Roma
di Luna fame), Senne's ethereal voice and Neil Young-ish harp carry Aerial Views
and make it a haunting, end-of-summer listen. The tracks flow nicely
too, with the yang – "Overgrown With Warmth" – giving way to the
reflective yin in "Autumn's Hum," in which Senne concedes to the
influence of a changing climate (be it internal or external): "A new
season is born...it's lingering on." I can almost hear Band of Horses
in Senne's reverberating vocal timbre, subtlety aching to be a part of
something epic, but completely content with three chords and the truth.
This is nothing new. This is trite! This is one man and his
guitar! Somehow, Senne makes you believe in old magic. It's a simple
witchless formula: Good musician + good singer + good songs = people
will listen. With Aerial Views, Senne has crafted a delicate
gem, much less-rocking than last year's self-titled, 60's pop-infused
solo debut (prior to which Senne made up half of the group Beight with
Brian Just). The album's cover calls to you from the start, with its
courier-esque font and curious Jennifer Davis penguin art. It seems to
be whispering, "Hey you, l can make you feel something." Feel something
you will, even if it is just nostalgia or a trip you've already taken
with the Sub Pop or Lost Highway artist of your choice. Duke Ellington
said, "If it sounds good, it's good." Aerial Views is good
and deserves to be heard – even if it's only at State Fairs and Fish
Fries (Hey, it's dinner time and I haven't eaten).
Kidding
aside, Senne's music would be equally received in a backwoods
NWestconsin bar, as well as the hippest PBR joint in your city. He
could be played on mainstream radio or indie college stations. The
integration of influences both past and present make his music
universally acceptable, safe, not overly daring, but always enjoyable.
I hate to compare artists to other artists, but I have no choice. Brad
Senne sounds a bit like everyone. Woody Jeff Brad Guthrie Tweedy Senne.
And if Damien Rice ain't guest guitarist on track 8, I don't know who
is. It's not always my cup of meat, but I must tip my cap and raise my
Leinenkugel's to Brad for being a student of his craft. There's no
bullshit here, kids. No overnight gimmicks or weight loss miracles. You
get the sense that Senne is doing what he loves to do and I can only
anticipate continual progress from this prolific artist who continues
to fly under the radar. It must be a beautiful view from way up there.
SYNOPSIS:
Brad Senne,
Aerial Views 12 tracks, 44 mins
Independently released 5/29/09
Minneapolis, MN
Genre: Acoustic Folk/Pop
B+