James Patrick Morgan - Art + Work =
Love
You can sometimes tell a budding major
talent from the push they receive. Music label A&R representatives and the counterparts
in public relations sometimes get behind the wrong horse, but invariably, these
evaluators of talent fix their aim on the right targets and some amazing
careers are born. It’s hard to escape the feeling that’s what is happening with
James Patrick Morgan’s EP Art + Work = Love. The five song collection from this
talented Georgia born singer/songwriter and live performer gives him a sharp
uplift into the early stages of his recording career thanks to an inspired and
tightly focused set of songs delving into personal experiences without ever
risking obscurity. Morgan’s wise enough to know his audience isn’t likely
interested in musically moribund confessionals and the accompanying
arrangements percolate with sharply observed turns and physically compelling
tempos. Art + Work = Love is obviously a labor of love and superb work of top
flight commercial music.
Popular music today doesn’t often get
more top flight than the opener “Expected”. Morgan spends a lot of time, like
most popular songwriters, mining personal relationships for song subjects, but
he brings an unique point of view to the songwriting. “Expected” combines
enough heartbreak and humorous cynicism into one song to make it combustible
from the outset and the excitable, jumpy arrangement only makes things better.
The sound couldn’t be more different on the EP’s second song. “Alone” has a
more mid-tempo pace and a slightly exultant air, but the musical arrangement is
driven forward on the backs of keyboards and synths while other instruments
take on more of a supporting role. There’s a different side of the same
commercial edge heard on the song “Sign Language”, but Morgan pulls back
considerably on the electronic textures employed in the other song. He,
instead, favors piano on this song and the way it matches up with the guitar
work is quite memorable. It isn’t nearly as memorable, however, as the searing
vocal Morgan gives us that makes the most out of another interesting lyric.
“Right Mistakes” has a big, bold sound
unlike anything before it on the EP. There’s some hints of rock creeping into
the song, namely the well placed use of electric guitar, but the signature
elements of Morgan’s sound to this point likewise remain intact. There’s some
particularly nice turns of phrase in the words and the insight required to
write this song in the first place sets Morgan further apart as a writer. As if
to wind down and relax while making his “exit”, James Patrick Morgan ends Art +
Work = Love with a cover of the Steve Miller Band radio staple “Fly Like an
Eagle”. It’s a great workout on a perhaps unexpected choice, but Morgan makes
it work with the same skills in use making this debut one of the year’s best
releases. Morgan’s four originals are the sort of work great careers are, in
part, built on and Morgan is well on his way to the promised land.
9 out of 10 stars.
Pamela Bellmore
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