2007

Home Of Rock, CD review "The Things That Count" 12/2007

Our world - getting ever more complex - can be seen from various different perspectives. This allows us to influence the things that affect our personal well-being to some extent. There's people who drift along without goals, people waiting for luck to strike, or folks following the herd without looking up. And then there's ambitious people and the courageous ones who reflect on their lives from time to time and pave their own way to personal happiness.

Artists, particularly singer-songwriters, are a special case in point. They seem driven to reveal their innermost thoughts and ponder the things that count. This is also true of German roots performer Markus Rill who examines his actions and thoughts closely on his new album "The Things That Count" - without finding the ultimate answer. Ultimately, life remains an ongoing mystery with answers found and questions raised.

After having looked for forgiveness on is last recommendable album The Price Of Sin, Rill has taken a step ahead this time around. Looking ahead instead of looking back takes him to a "Straighter Road": "I made a wreck of my dream, it took me a while to find out what was left for me. I made a mess of the truth, it took me a while to figure out what was left for me to do. Now, I'm following a straighter road, I'm learning what I should have known", he sings on the opening track.
This optimistic tune leads straight towards the recognition that he - like all of us - will yet have to wait a little while until the most pressing questions will be answered. In the album's title track Rill reveals that he doesn't know much more than the average listener - which makes him believable and likeable:
"I know a lotta things, but I don't know a lotta things that are of a lotta use".

Later on, Rill recounts the common yet surprising story of Sarah Stein, a Viennese dancer who escaped the Nazis in the 30ies to the USA and still kept mourning for the life and love she might have had. This might sound a little like a Hollywood tale but thanks to Rill's engaging storytelling and the song's spot-on, atmospheric arrangement it emerges as one of the album's highlights.

Throughout Rill has focused on the things that really count for his art: Moving introspective songs and top-notch musicians. Like on his last few albums he has surrounded himself with a handful of hand-picked Nashville aces. While this summer's self-released "Live" duo album presented a pleasant minimalistic approach, the contributions of a full band help bring out the wealth of facets, underline the carefully crafted story arcs and add lots variety to Rill's songs.

Listening to Jen Gunderman's piano contributions or Joe McMahan's guitaristic adventures, it's easy to understand why Rill chooses to record his albums on the US. These folks don't need direction, they know and feel what to contribute to a song. Prooducer Richard McLaurin has created a great overall feel and uncontrived sound for the record. Rounding out the creative troupe were bassist Dave Jacques, drummer Bryan Owings and backing vocalists Mack Starks, Dave Coleman, and Claire Small.

The Things That Count can undoubtedly be considered a successful endeavor. Thus, Rill remains undisputed as Germany's leading roots musician on an international level.