I did not know exactly what to expect when going into Kevin Davison’s country album, “Only Human,” and yet it managed to surprise me. The album has six unique tracks: unique to each other, and unique to other songs of the same genre.
“Gravity” was the first song I heard, setting the potential tone for the rest of the album. It was a classic country song – gentle, catchy, and about a man seeing a beautiful woman in a bar. Something that set it apart from some country music, however, was that it gave off a genuinely romantic quality. My initial expectation from this song was, “Okay, it’s a guy in a bar who sees a pretty girl across the room. Classic.” But Davison put more heart into the piece than that, like it was an innate attraction that the speaker soon realized was actually love at first sight. The vocal harmonies were nice and subtle, and the melody was catchy. I immediately noticed what a nice voice Davison had, especially to fit his music style.
The track “When Those Sirens Are Gone” was more emotionally hard-hitting, and it gave off a different vibe from the rest of the album. It was about the job of a first responder, from their point of view, without an analogy. This seemed to be something close to Davison’s heart, as he did not hold back on the intensity and seriousness of the subject matter. As far as the actual music, the bridge was lovely; short and strong with swelling music. Altogether, it did a great job of setting a consistent mood.
“I’m a Mess” may have had my favorite lyrics of any song on the album. The analogies were clever, and they were the sorts of things that anyone can relate to with heartbreak: constant reminders, living in the past, and trying to have hope for the future. It was a little bit cheesy, in a good way. Like a prime rom-com when you need a good cry. The song is a bit of country with a bit of rock. Davison’s decisions on using vocal harmony vs. not were well-balanced, as it was interesting without being overwhelming. The drumbeat is unique, changing consistently throughout the song and keeping the listener interested. There is a rather nice guitar solo around the bridge, which I wish were a little longer. (I’ve always been a rocker, personally.) This track was also mixed well with an especially crisp sound.
Davison’s track “She Makes Me Want To” seems to make a huge cut in the country music stereotype, which I enjoyed. Classic country songs about relationships tend to be either breakup ballads, pining numbers, or revenge tracks; this song, however, is deeply loving, respectful, and happy. The speaker shows vulnerability in wanting to change – for the better – for his partner.
The chorus is not much of a change in musical tone from the verses. The overall melody did not strike me at first, but it began to grow on me as I listened. At first, the time signature in the vocals seemed a tad odd, but it was a nice and unique change of pace that is not heard often.
“When You Need Me” was probably the track that resonated with me the least. To start, Davison sang off-beat in the beginning. While it was clearly intentional, it was not my style; but I respect that he went for something interesting. The best aspect was the kick-in, as it was unexpected and cool. The percussion throughout the song was quite good, changing frequently and keeping the listeners on their toes.
Conversely, the lyrics to “Wonder Woman” were interesting and clever. I looked forward to each line as the song progressed. Some of it related to the “wonder woman” being compared to a superhero, which was to be expected, but others were more along the lines of, “I have to wonder, woman…” This was creative and delightfully surprising. Davison used classic country instruments, but it had an overall rock-esque feel. The melody was indisputably country, which held it together with the rest of the album. There was also a lovely guitar solo, which I wish had been longer.
After the full listen, I could recommend Davison’s “Only Human” to several types of music lovers: die-hard country fans, newbie country fans, and even rock fans. The lyrics appeal to romantics at heart, regardless of genre. Overall, Davison delivered an album that was classic and original at once, like an aged painting being restored to a new glory. If you need a good cry, a good smile, or a good chill session, “Only Human” has something for you.
Leah Gallagher
