Christopher Steve - Taken By The Tide

I've always been a fan of dark acoustic solo records from guys better known for their metal chops. Such is the case with Christopher Steve, perhaps best known for his work in Lavaborne and his new record, Taken By The Tide. It's a delight to lose yourself in the stripped down production and thoughtful lyrics that define this record. This is an album that really celebrates its earnest authenticity and desire to just lean into talking about the problems that pain humanity, specifically those living in the American Midwest. 

The songs here have a very real sense of honesty. Lyrics unapologetically dig into themes of depression, addiction and womens rights. While the songwriting usually veers towards the simplistic, this really allows Christopher Steve's message to resonate with listeners. It's hard not to be charmed by the execution of tracks like 'Eternity' - the epic closing track. The incorporation of collaborators be it for guitar solos, keyboards, guest vocals, cellos or mandolins is also really interesting. It adds a real sense of breadth to the music. Ultimately - I don't hear a lot of bands that can do quite as good a job just sharing honesty and reflecting on their own internal darkness in the same way. 

There's a lot to love about Taken By The Tide even in its understated elegance. It's a record that frequently goes above and beyond and routinely charms the listener with a quiet sort of brilliance. Taken By The Tide is an ambitious offering for what it is and will really see listeners immersing themselves in a strangely poetic sort of magic. It's an at times harrowing window into the struggles of day to day life and a reminder that great art is constantly bubbling up around the Midwest. Join me and lose yourself in this.

Grab the album!

https://christophersteve.bandcamp.com/