Review #27 : Rick Barth
Review #27
Artist: Rick Barth
Album: Fade
So if you know me, you know I am no fan of country music, and sometimes I even grow tired of classic rock. That said, having seen Rick Barth perform live, I knew that this was an album that I didn’t want to sleep on.
Rick Barth is a New Jersey based solo musician who is currently promoting his second full length album, Fade. This follow-up to his 2015 debut record, Hand Me Down Soul, carries 12 tracks and caps out at 54 minutes long
(I let Spotify do the math, don’t worry).
Out of the dozen tracks, three of these songs stood out to me the most.
We Had Fun (Didn’t We?), Stranger Things, and Leave all heavily showcased Barth’s emotional connection to his music, and that is something a true music fan should appreciate in any genre.
We Had Fun (Didn’t We?) is not only the first track on the album but probably one of the most relatable. From what I gather, the song details a life that does not end up achieving all of its goals or dreams but still appreciates the fun had along the way. I don’t know about you, but I find that to be pretty good message for us all. Let’s be honest, most millennials won’t be able to retire so we should enjoy the ride while we can, right?
Sorry… sorry, getting off track.
The next song I’d recommend is called, Stranger Things. No, not the overrated TV show (oh yes, I went there). This Stranger Things is track eight on the record, and it offers the audience a memorable lead melody and lyrical hook. I very much enjoy Barth’s use of what may be slide guitar (I apologize if I’m incorrect there), as it adds a nice depth to the song that might feel a bit bare otherwise. Additionally, the rhythm guitar on this track, and on many of the others, reminds me of a tone produced by late 90’s post-grunge bands such as Collective Soul.
Thirdly, Leave is a very powerful song which seems to be about Barth’s connection to his father. I try to fully appreciate songs of this sort because it really take guts for a lyricist to put such a vulnerable part of themselves out there. Feelings on subject matters like this are more often than not very strong, and to have them willingly be dissected and critiqued by listeners takes a lot of courage if you ask me.
Rick Barth is a New Jersey based solo musician who is currently promoting his second full length album, Fade. This follow-up to his 2015 debut record, Hand Me Down Soul, carries 12 tracks and caps out at 54 minutes long
(I let Spotify do the math, don’t worry).
Out of the dozen tracks, three of these songs stood out to me the most.
We Had Fun (Didn’t We?), Stranger Things, and Leave all heavily showcased Barth’s emotional connection to his music, and that is something a true music fan should appreciate in any genre.
We Had Fun (Didn’t We?) is not only the first track on the album but probably one of the most relatable. From what I gather, the song details a life that does not end up achieving all of its goals or dreams but still appreciates the fun had along the way. I don’t know about you, but I find that to be pretty good message for us all. Let’s be honest, most millennials won’t be able to retire so we should enjoy the ride while we can, right?
Sorry… sorry, getting off track.
The next song I’d recommend is called, Stranger Things. No, not the overrated TV show (oh yes, I went there). This Stranger Things is track eight on the record, and it offers the audience a memorable lead melody and lyrical hook. I very much enjoy Barth’s use of what may be slide guitar (I apologize if I’m incorrect there), as it adds a nice depth to the song that might feel a bit bare otherwise. Additionally, the rhythm guitar on this track, and on many of the others, reminds me of a tone produced by late 90’s post-grunge bands such as Collective Soul.
Thirdly, Leave is a very powerful song which seems to be about Barth’s connection to his father. I try to fully appreciate songs of this sort because it really take guts for a lyricist to put such a vulnerable part of themselves out there. Feelings on subject matters like this are more often than not very strong, and to have them willingly be dissected and critiqued by listeners takes a lot of courage if you ask me.
Overall, Fade holds some of Barth’s best lyrical writing, along with the strong blues, country, and classic rock influences that made him the musician he is today. I do wish more modern country artists took this alternative folk route when creating music rather than conforming to today’s commercial norm. Singer-songwriters such as Rick Barth, prove that there is still a deeper, more complex, and even darker side to country rock that we have not seen much since artists like Johnny Cash.
Be sure to check out Fade and Hand Me Down Soul on Spotify, Google Play,
Apple Music, and Amazon Music!
Be sure to check out Fade and Hand Me Down Soul on Spotify, Google Play,
Apple Music, and Amazon Music!
Ryan Hanratty
Frosted Green Productions
Frosted Green Productions
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