Rich Lang
Big Dream
Reviewed by Scott J. Drachnik
I'm surprised I don't like Rich Lang's Big Dream more than I do. His debut boasts producer/artist extraordinaire Charlie Peacock, guitarists Jimmy Abegg (solo, Vector, Peacock), Mike Roe (The 77's, Lost Dogs), and drummers Bruce Spencer (Vector) and Aaron Smith (The 77's). In other words some of alternative Christian music's creme de la creme!
No, the problem with Big Dream is not a lack of talent, it's a spotty recording and lackluster songs.
Although the liner notes imply Peacock and Lang were co-producers, the pre-release bio material points out this is a collection of new material produced by Peacock and older material by Lang. It's fairly easy to identify which songs were blessed by Peacock's steady hand, and which were not.
Likewise, apart from Abegg, the rest of the name dropping is equally pointless. Numerous studio musicians are listed before the likes of Roe, Spencer and Smith, meaning they simply made "guest appearances" and were not integral parts of the total project.
Stylistically, Lang offers a mellower approach to alternative music. Unfortunately, his vocal ability is fair at best, and further hampered by an inconsistent use of effects and placement in the mix that varies from song to song. On the bright side, instrumentation is tight, but being tight and offering catchy tunes with lasting impressions can be worlds apart.
One song where all the elements do come together nicely is "What's Wrong." Other decent numbers include the blues-influenced title cut, "Shadow of Doubt," "In Color," "Bottom of It," and "Living Dangerously."
In the final analysis, listing and promoting Peacock, Abegg, Roe and others as main contributors to Big Dream works to Lang's detriment by raising false expectations. In this case, there is an artistic application of the proverb "to whom much is given, much is required." As it is, Big Dream wears thin and has limited staying power.
3/5