Few musicians come forth with a definitive message on their recordings, but George Cahill ties in hard-edged political themes to each of Relevant’s 9 songs. Nuclear Fallout is the introductory track on Relevant, and is focused on the “perfect storm” of tsunami and meltdown that hit Japan last year. Sucking on Weed has a psychedelic approach that soars on the back of Santana-esque guitar lines; Cahill’s vocals provide listeners with a tremendous narrative that cautions listeners against falling into a gangster lifestyle.
Cahill’s version of This Land Is Your Land is perhaps the best I have heard; his lifetime of experience grants listeners with a weary and utterly unique version of a classic. Relevant hits another high note with Texting Song, where Cahill puts forth an acerbic diatribe against those that fall into the texting trap. With instrumentation that mirrors nicely Cahill’s sentiment, the resulting track is more than enough to have listeners reconsider how attached that they have become to their variety of electronic devices. The disc’s final track, Just Like Tom Thumb Blues, has Cahill step into a more folk-based approach. His version of the Dylan track has a vibrancy that ends the disc perfectly; Cahill is able to end Relevant in an emphatic fashion.
Keep an eye out for Solutions, which should be dropping down in stores later this year or next; Cahill’s Renaissance man attitude bodes well for any future albums. Breaking free of genre conventions, Relevant is a title that stays strong throughout. Where many musicians deposit their chaff is where Cahill shines the brightest; Still The Same is a track that has him hitting on all cylinders. No matter where one is at on Relevant, they will be treated to the same dedication and drive. Pick up this album today.
Top Tracks: Sucking on Weed, This Land Is Your Land
Rating: 8.3/10
George Cahill – Relevant (CD) / 2012 Self / 9 Tracks / http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/georgecahillartist
John Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC hardware, consumer tech, and gaming culture since 1998. With over 25 years of continuous digital publishing experience, he has written thousands of hands-on game and record reviews, conducted in-depth hardware field testing, and analyzed digital media monetization trends. His work prioritizes first-hand evaluation and long-term product testing.
Beats: Independent Music, PC Gaming & Peripherals, Consumer Tech, Webmaster Tools
Testing & Ethics: All hardware, software, and media reviews are conducted through hands-on evaluation in accordance with NeuFutur’s editorial independence standards; sponsored consideration is strictly excluded from editorial ratings.
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