Phil Madeira

Item: Off Kilter
Author: James Stewart

Off Kilter

(1996)

Reviewed by James Stewart

Discogs Bandcamp Apple Music

Label Word RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth1997

americana blues country folk rock

Phil Madeira's "thanks" column in the CD sleeve reads like a "who's who" of Nashville-based CCM. If you've heard of him before it's likely that it's through his session work on many, many CCM albums. Despite his high profile as a session musician, however, no label is distributing this album. Their loss.

Musically this album is extremely laidback, and while Phil's reputation is mainly built on his Hammond and B-3 organ playing, this is more guitar-oriented, switching between clean electric and acoustic sounds. Those sounds are rootsy, with many a nod towards folk, blues, and especially country. All the instrumentals are handled by the man himself, but there are guest harmony vocals from Dave Perkins (Chagall Guevara) and Kenny Meeks. The guitar playing is solid (though not exceptional) and very melodic, while the other instruments adequately fill in the spacious arrangements.

The laidback feel of the album leaves a lot of space for Phil's husky vocals and thoughtful lyrics. The first track, "Jagged Heart," contains some powerful lyrics focusing on the constant process of refining our lives:

Not like I had a plan
Not like I saw the goal
You got to wittle down to nothing
Before you'll ever be made whole

I've been carving
Stripping off the bark
Rounding off the edges
Of this jagged heart

Life is explored in an honest way throughout the 12 tracks, with a gritty realism rarely seen within Christian Music circles; tales of love, encounters with others, and the struggles of the artist are all to be found here. The album has grown on me the more I listen to it, as I catch more of the lyrics and see the stories and messages coming through them more clearly.

Francine the first time I saw you
I'll never forget.
Oh you shone like the silvery moon
on that night that we met,
But the warmth you reflected
Was as cheap as your cigarette.

The dark side of your soul
Appealed to the dark side of mine.
(from "Francine")

I have enjoyed this album when in a couple of different moods--both as an album to unwind to, and one to sit back and think about. Each time I listen to it I discover some new gem in the lyrics, and I know I will keep coming back.

4 tocks