Synthesizing secret hilltop magic, “We Must Build Fire,” from Finger Lakes troubadour Aaron Lipp (out June 28), puzzles upon survival instincts and shelterees in this self-produced, full-band solo work recorded at Temple Cabin Studios. All additional musicians contribute vocals, including Marypat Frohm, Meleah Pescini, Gregor Sayet-Bone (harmonica, percussion), Ric Robertson (bass, keyboards) and Nick Falk (drums), with Lipp on guitars, keyboards, accordion, fiddle, bouzouki and percussion.
(Note: This writer makes music with Aaon Lipp, but was not involved with the recent release.)
“Only Feeling” nods with steady roots grit, considering the rare power of human feeling. This steadiness contorts into tasty slide-guitar work, giving time to question how to experience art through fogs of information and how to best balance knowledge vs. awareness between social media frackings.
In celebration and wonderment of lovers, “Make It Til the Morning” takes stock of trials and miracles in connection, with sauntering but syncopated modern folk and an equally affectionate subject-matter: I have never found someone like you / With your gasoline stare and your sexy tattoos.
“Off the Road” marches around deep homesickness, realizing that New York State Route 21 is better than Route 66. George Jones would’ve been proud to cover “Do You Really Love Your Man,” a slow country ballad in love with authenticity and truth with harmonica/fiddle/accordion in embrace.
“Walking Through the Graveyard” provides intense atmosphere, with wooden psychedelia and extended stratospheric jams on the album’s longest offering. An open-season power-ballad, “I Won’t Lie” crunches and appeals with brilliance: If we would die tomorrow, would we steal the day?
With angry elements cast as warriors, “Storm Shelter” whooshes and queues endless fighters against a survival fire, with a terrific full-band expansion and heavy lead guitar work cracking around clouds. Through the mist, it’s proven: shelter does always surrender to nature.
Ryan M. Yarmel is a contributor to CITY.
This article appears in Dec 1-31, 2024.
