1340mag
, April 2003
"Soulscript is the epitome of how every day,
boys-next-door musicians can put out decent music with hard work. The
three guys—Chris Williams on vocals and keys, Eric Whittenberg
on bass, and Tommy Bowden on guitar—did everything on this debut
release themselves. Everything from producing, recording, mixing, songwriting,
and doubling to play EVERY instrument in the recording. Album highlights
include "wannabe," "Pollyanna," and title track
"There By Now, as well as "Better Days." The band’s
earthy music and rich vocal depth add to their legitimacy. Overall,
this is a quality self-made, eleven-track debut worthy of a close listen.
www.soulscript.com
Key song: Pollyanna"
Heather Wiederstein.
www.1340mag.com
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OFFBEAT
MAGAZINE, January 2002
" Insert cliché about extreme emotional
disclosure here. Soulscript's debut album, There By Now, succeeds because
of its supreme earnestness. The folk-rock album acts as a big brotherly
clutch on the shoulder with its straightforward dealings on love, forgiveness,
longing, insecurity, regret, hopefulness and hopelessness.
The album's best songs are "Heavy," "Pollyanna"
and "Rough," but its gem is "Wannabe." The interplay
between an acoustic guitar and a restrained electric guitar's accompanying
melody give the song a somber spirituality and sense of faith that permeates
the album. Still, the lyrics are often world-weary and depressed. This
dichotomy prompts empathy.
Since the album is seared with emotional intensity, a little levity
is appreciated when on "Kansas City," vocalist Chris Williams
sing, "I know I can really be a prick/but please let me come home."
The Covington band, formed in 2001, sounds green and unconfident occasionally,
but the addition of a permanent drummer and an outsider producer to
their multi-instrumentalist trio should help solve that problem.
Listening to the album is comparable to watching the movie X-Men: the
first installment's favorable taste seems only an introduction to better
things ahead."
-Jason Songe
www.offbeat.com |
TAMBALAYA
MAGAZINE, September 2002
SOULSCRIPT IS ALTERNATIVE MAGIC FOR THE SOUL
What is it about musicians? Most seem to have this need to bear their
souls. And they say men don't want to commit! The trio soulscript not
only wears its heart on its sleeve but puts it in a CD for all to hear.
It's not only “out there," it's There by Now, the title the
members have chosen for their debut album. It's on the band's own label,
Nobody Big Records.
The three members deal with disaster on a daily basis. The emergency
room medical director, charge nurse and podiatrist had worked together
for quite some time before they discovered a mutual love and talent
for music.
Just as the members are multi-dimensional in their lives, they are more
so in the musical sense. Chris Williams acts as lead vocalist and plays
the keys and guitar. He's at ease on the electric, acoustic and slide
guitar. He lives in Mandeville.
Originally from Lafayette, Tommy Bowden lives in Covington. He is considered
the engine behind soulscript. A rhythm guitarist, he has played with
several bands in New Orleans and engineered and mixed There by Now.
He sings backup for the band. Tommy is self-taught, not developing his
talent until college.
Eric Whittenburg, the only one of the three who isn't a Louisiana native,
performed in St. Louis and Chicago before settling in Baton Rouge. His
music genius encompasses the drums, mandolin, bass, banjo, harmonica
and percussion, all of which is featured on the CD. He's the only one
with formal training with a degree in music and coming from a musical
family. Soulscript is considering making the trio a quartet with the
addition of Shawn Robbins as drummer.
Goals of soulscript include securing airtime on radio stations, which
Tommy calls “the playgrounds of the world." He particularly
has the collegiate stations in mind. Judging from the CD, it seems a
good fit. There by Now contains 11 tracks. It touts itself as “folk
rock tales of trying to get somewhere else." I'd call it soul-searching
alternative. With lyrics like," I'm a poet in a mute man's body,
a poet in a dead man's body," it understandable that the group
isn't just demonstrating it's ability to entertain.
Each song has its own aspect of life, death, dreams and finding one's
way through the maze of manure everyone encounters each day. Appropriately
they are named 'Wannabe," “Better Days," “Movin'
On" and “Lead me Home." Behind the commanding lyrics
are powerful guitar licks, both electric and acoustic. Between the lines
are poignant pauses and harmonious vocals. “Wannabe" is featured
on an Oasis Acoustic Sampler CD, which is scheduled to be released to
500 radio stations on October 11. Fans of the SaddleTramps and Jude
LeBlanc would find soulscript very palpable.
The group's website, www.soulscript.com is worth visiting; it's complete
with photos, lyrics to all of the CD'S tracks, bios and ordering links.
The group was on Radio Free Kansas (channel 1) on August 25 (www.tafcommedia.net).
Locally, the CD can be purchased at the Grapevine in Covington. It's
also available at amazon.com, cdbaby-com and cdstreet.com. I know my
copy will find its way to the petite stack I deem my favorites.
www.tambalaya.net
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