Tiny Rooms

Album Review

A singer/songwriter to the core, John Vecchiarelli is a cross between James Taylor and Nick Drake in terms of his style and vocal delivery. "To Sleep" starts off well but seems to lack at least one to two more verses, ending abruptly and seeming rather unfinished. The same abruptness is found in "Skinned Knees." However, it is also one of the best tracks. "Idiot Kids" is a bit more upbeat and features the first of several subtle piano touches. The track is also a good prototype of the album itself, a bit morose in its tone, but with enough hooks and twists to keep the listener attentive. One of the first aspects listeners will notice is the lack of a percussion on several tracks, an element that would add much to a few songs, especially "My Own Design." Coming across as an "unplugged" arrangement, a hi-hat or bass drum would certainly add a lot. Lyrically, the album is very strong, which carries a majority of the tunes, especially the narrative and personal title track. When songs are fully realized and developed, particularly "In Tow," the results are excellent. Underneath the surface, the songs resemble an acoustic Staind. Nowhere is this more evident than on "See Us Wonder," comparable to "It's Been Awhile." One definite downside is the amount of dead air on the album between the last and hidden tracks, closing in on an inane nine minutes.