Adam Christian Bass’ debut is memorable for a variety of reasons, but I’ll try covering what I think are the biggest.
It’s a precocious first release. The ten songs Bass penned and recorded for Between Worlds share a similar musical pedigree. However, he finds several variations on a theme. It isn’t customary to encounter first-time music makers with this level of certainty. None of the album’s ten songs come off as hesitant or flat-footed. The clear-eyed focus and bottomless musicality of Between Worlds sound like Bass knew what he wanted from the final result and seemingly achieved it as easily as breathing.
URL: https://adamchristianbass.com/
It never limits itself. Between Worlds’ songs reflect experiences and concerns close to Bass’ heart rather than settling for one or two time-tested topics. His songwriting achieves a thematic breadth that we find more in far more experienced music makers. We shouldn’t suppose that these are ten songs free from re-working. Bass undoubtedly labored hard to realize their potential. He’s also, more than likely, worked at this craft for many years before beginning the Between Worlds project. However, these ten songs make him sound like a prodigy, a possibly transformative songwriting talent that never tests our patience.
“Lift Off” is a perfect way to begin the album – for obvious reasons. The songwriting, especially the lyrical content, further reinforces that. I enjoy how he hits listeners with an understated sleight of hand to start things off. It begins with a strong synth/keyboard presence between metamorphizing into different fare. “Silent Picture” is one of Between Worlds’ peak moments for me. The words supply us with a prime example of Bass’ storytelling prowess. It’s powered by many factors, but his sharp eye for significant detail is killer.
The surprisingly bluesy theatricality of “Hurricane” is arguably the most idiosyncratic moment included in Between Worlds. He sings it in a largely straightforward fashion, though I find myself recoiling a little at the way he handles the singing during the rockier passages. It gets a little forced, or perhaps unnatural is the better word. This song is a curious animal; there’s a lot to like about it with a single listen, but it calls for more than one pass to properly appreciate.
“Haunted Whisper” is the album’s best outright ballad. I applaud how Bass successfully melds an assortment of influences into his art without the end result recalling any specific figure. His songwriting ultimately stands on its own. He layers particularly elegant piano playing into this. It captured me from the start, and I am especially keen on the uncluttered arrangement. The off-kilter near funk of “Perfect Ten” is another moment where Bass gives us songs that no one else can mimic. However, he inhabits the slightly ajar arrangement with audible confidence that draws us for a deeper listen. The mix of moments such as these with other songs certain to garner widespread appeal helps make Adam Christian Bass’ Between Worlds a must-hear for anyone who is a fan of daring songwriting. He does it his way, unapologetically.
Mindy McCall
