The second CD from Kurt Landre is quite a departure from Logikos, his first disc. Logikos was a progressive rock album in the vein of Peter Gabriel and King Crimson. All the Noises in My Head, however, is a stripped-down, acoustic based homage to Mark Heard and other Americana artists.
The nine songs here are literate accounts of personal struggle and perseverance, of trying to be hopeful rather than give in to cynicism. "Snake in the Grass," a Mark Heard meets Rich Mullins tune, was a finalist in the Silent Planet Records Mark Heard Songwriting Contest, and was featured at Cornerstone 2002. It is a portrayal of a childhood friendship, and wondering where that friend may be now.
Landre has branched out somewhat musically, playing guitar, mandolin, melodica, accordion, bass, cello, harmonica, and doing almost all of the vocals. Wife Lynn makes this a family affair, chipping in with drums, hammered dulcimer, percussion, train whistles, and backup vocals. They don't quite reach Buddy and Julie Miller status, but the combination here definitely works.
"Acts of the Hopeless," a self-questioning tale, evokes Rick Elias' solo material. "Waiting to be Seen" falls somewhere between Bill Mallonee and Neil Young. The guitar work throughout reminds me of T-Bone Burnett's work. "One Foot in the Grave" seems to be about a person who refuses to leave the world completely behind for Christ:
Better nail another casualty to the killing tree that you hang your hopes on
The one where they found that corpse (It was you, of course) just rotting in the sun
Even after they cleanse the wounds, and cut the stench away you keep one foot in the grave...
"Bump" looks forward to the return of Christ, and breaking out of the corporate rut. "Thirty-One" shows a man wishing for his own maturity, and making the decision to pursue it:
Well, I have packed all my bags -- I am ready to move
'Cause youth made her promises but she never made good
She was a faithful lover and she kept me from doubt
But what I really need now she knows nothing about
So Good Christ A'mighty, let's get on with it now.
All of the Noises in My Head combines the singer/songwriter style of the 70's with the literacy and intelligence of 90's Americana- it is a keeper.
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