This album begins with the title track, which is similar in style to the music of Josh Rouse. "Siren Song" is a good rootsy tune that could just easily have been performed by David Lindley on banjo and Bruce Springsteen on harmonica."Calling Out" and "Bucket in a Well" are particularly rich songs. The richness and complexity of these songs remind me of Adam Mugavero. "Bucket in a Well" is a dream for lovers of stringed instruments. It features guitar, mandolin, and viola all layered together with Semerdjian's easy vocals. Easy is probably the best way to describe his voice. His delivery sounds effortless. Vocally, Alan Semerdjian reminds me of Andrew Poliakoff of Virginia Coalition. There is also one song ("Josie") with a funky groove similar to the music of OK to Go by Virginia Coaltion.
Semerdjian shows good range. From the rootsy "Siren Song" to "Melody" which has a guitar riff reminiscent of "Stairway to Heaven," Semerdjian pretty much covers the whole spectrum.
I can't say there is anything wrong with this album. Each song is well-crafted and goes beyond the standard "3 chords and a cloud of dust*" offered by so many bands. If I were to change one thing about this album, it would probably be the length. Don't get me wrong. Each song is worthwhile, but seventy-five and a half minutes is pretty hefty. But then, this song is a collection of songs between 2002 and 2005. And frankly, I imagine he had to leave a lot of songs off of this album to bring it in at seventy-five minutes.
*Maybe they didn't coin the phrase, but my use of it is a nod to Watershed from Columbus, Ohio, who titled one of their albums thusly.
