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Broken Poets: For the Death of Dustin Essary

Alternative/Melodic Rock

2.75/5.0

Wordvendor Music
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by Craig Hartranft,  01.17.2011

Broken Poets latest EP For the Death of Dustin Essary was over before it began, or so it seemed. I was listening to the last track, the title track, and before I knew it, I found myself saying, I've heard this before. Glancing at the CD player display in my car and I realized I was half way into the first song. That will give you some sense of the listening experience on For the Death of Dustin Essary, but a little more clarification may be needed.

Broken Poets, and this work, is essentially singer, songwriter, and guitarist Tim McDonald's prose and poetry over music. There's nothing remarkable about the music: mostly ambient or ethereal, neither persuasive or pretentious, it's merely a vehicle for McDonald's verse. The verse is the dreams of Dustin Essary, a cancer victim, put to story and prose. The lyrical concepts are intelligent and interesting, if you listen to them.

But there's the rub, I hear Mr. McDonald's voice in song, and want to hear what he says, however nothing compels me to do so. The music is listless and uncompelling, making McDonald's voice the only other point of focus, but leaving it meaningless. He sings, but I must convince mind to persuade my ears to pay attention. This was quite disturbing as there is real potency and passion to McDonald and Broken Poets' art. I can't help feeling, however, that it needs some CPR or a shot of adrenaline.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Broken Poets, and For the Death of Dustin Essary, is essentially singer, songwriter, and guitarist Tim McDonald's prose and poetry over music. There's nothing remarkable about th music: mostly ambient or ethereal, neither persuasive or pretentious, it's merely a vehicle for McDonald's verse.

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