Nervous Passenger

Item: [Taller Trees]
Author: Steven S. Baldwin

[Taller Trees]

(1998)

Reviewed by Steven S. Baldwin

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Label Room 3 RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth1999

acoustic rock alternative rock folk rock

It's often said that "imitation is the greatest form of flattery." If that is true, then file [taller trees] respectably next to Counting Crows' August and Everything After, for whether by coincidence or design, these two bands sound substantially alike. What is more remarkable is that Nervous Passenger is a pack of Scots, so their sophomore release is not merely the British Isles' answer to the Counting Crows, it is one of the most American-sounding bands to come from the Highlands since The Waterboys' Mike Scott mimicked Jimi Hendrix and The Proclaimers invoked the Righteous Brothers.

To be fair, Nervous Passenger is no mere Counting Crows imitators, though that comparison extends across the musicianship, vocal delivery, lyrical touches and moody ambience. Their overall sound also shows shades of the Gin Blossoms, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Peter Himmelman, Burlap to Cashmere, Dave Matthews, and a "smackeral" of Seventies vibes by the likes of Nilsson and Cat Stevens. Regardless of their supposed influences, if you are looking for pleasantly played, sweetly saturnine, modern folk rock with some aggressive nineties elements and jangly guitar bits, then this will be a most welcome and recommended addition to your collection.

Considering the quality of these lyrics, you are also looking at quite a bit of bang for your bucks--pounds, yen, shekels--whatever. With introspective insight and artful elegance, principal songwriter Neil Alton gently exposes his heart and faith in ten original songs and one remix. The album begins with "Drift Away," which serves as an encouraging declaration:

Stay close to God, rely completely on His Hand
And He'll show the way
He knows your mind, your thoughts, your passions and your words
What you're gonna say
You pray so half-heartedly, you think you've not been heard
So you fall away
Get a grip on the raft that's your support and just drift away.

This theme of completely surrendering yourself to the Lord is revisited and alluded to throughout this album, such as in the ballad "Goodbye December":

I've been kicked down for the last time
I'm tired of this run around
I'm gonna lay my burdens down
Stop wearing my own selfish crown.

Frankly, I can think of a number of bands that should not be imitated to any level, and the Counting Crows aren't one of them. Music fans will delight in the intelligent lyrics and well-crafted music, and plenty of sanctified spirit fills this project with hopeful inspiration worth hearing. Whether because or in spite of the seemingly obvious homage to that San Francisco band belting "Mr. Jones" all over the airwaves, Nervous Passenger truly offers a strong offering deserving your affection.

4 tocks