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February 2025

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Ceramic: The Past Ain't Far

Alt/Indie/Roots Music

4.0/5.0

Mother West Music
Website Twitter MySpace
by Craig Hartranft,  01.31.2011

Ceramic is Pennsylvania raised, now Brooklyn based, singer songwriter John Schaeffer, and The Past Ain't Far is his debut work. With influences that pass from 60's pyschedelia to 70's pop to American roots of country and blues music, thanks to his father's diverse 3000 LP collection, Mr. Schaeffer weaves a diverse tapestry that is both creative and entertaining. Pinning, or labeling, his sound down becomes precarious endeavor.

On this short disc, only ten songs, you might hear Wilco (early) and Beck if he wanted to indulge into folk or roots music. Schaeffer himself reminds of Dylan and Petty made smooth by Arlo Guthrie; this is most noticeable on folksy Blue Comet. The texture across the song is almost a dreamy, post 60's pyschedelia: You Give More than Enough, Who's Gonna Guide the Night, or How'd You Get So Down are characteristic. Yet, there's certainly no redundancy here, all the songs have a character of there own. Schaeffer/Ceramic gets a bit more lively on title track and later Velvet Coat, two of the best cuts here. At the end, Lose the King is clever being unpredictable and moody. But those three words might best define John Schaeffer's Ceramic.

Ceramic and John Schaeffer's The Past Ain't Far would probably find a place on the modern hipster's fickle iPod, but his music is larger, deeper, and more creative than most alt/indie music. The Past Ain't Far has a depth of character and sound that charms and prevails over current trends. Though not overtly accessible, The Past Ain't Far is persuasive and entertaining. Recommended!

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

Ceramic and John Schaeffer's The Past Ain't Far would probably find a place on the modern hipster's fickle iPod, but his music is larger, deeper, and more creative than most alt/indie music. Though not overtly accessible, The Past Ain't Far is persuasive and entertaining. Recommended!

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