Album Review: True, Adam Grimm
One of the perks of living in Cleveland is the diverse music scene. From classic rock to hip hop, country to punk, musicians of all kinds stop in to put on shows for natives and those willing to travel. The local music scene does not disappoint either, with up and coming stars opening for larger bands usually at The Agora or Mahall’s until they’ve started creating some momentum.
One of these rising rock stars, Adam Grimm, released his debut solo album in August of 2015. Deviating from his normal punk style, Grimm took the emotions from the diagnosis of his hearing disorder and turned them into song. As he says, "[True] served me as a torch in the darkness."
The name “True” fits this album to a T. You can hear the passion in Grimm’s lyrics and in his voice, especially in “Refugee Train” and “No Credit”. The music he plays compliments his lyrics to create seven tracks full of emotion.
The album begins with “Honestly”, a song that starts relaxed and then nicely builds up to make way for "No Credit". Here the layering of voices in the chorus combined with the intensity of the music bring out the feelings of insignificance and anger. "Willingly" slows things down with its wistful tones of someone trying to change for the better.
There's a shift a little over the halfway point in "Lazy Eye" almost making it feel like two different songs, yet still keeping a lighter tone. "Antidote" goes back to that wistful tone, but has a silver lining within the lyrics ("I'm not giving up so soon").
"Way You Are" again has a nice build up from verse to chorus, bringing out the sadness of a love lost yet keeping that happiness from their memory. “Refugee Train” makes for a good closing track with the use of layered vocals bringing out the emotional intensity. Its ending has a tone of finality that leave listeners satisfied.
As a whole, the songs flow well together, either building up or slowing down in regards to how the next song will begin. They all maintain the same level of power in regards to the feelings they evoke.
Check out True here. If you like what you hear, keep your eyes peeled for his upcoming album “Old Town” releasing at the end of this month, or check out his band When/Where.
Rating: 7.5/10
Fave Tunes: “Lazy Eye”, “Way You Are”
