SATSANG
'In Between the Blinks'
Album Review
SATSANG, a Montana born acoustic roots reggae duo, are having fun playing tunes and sharing information. 'In Between the Blinks' merges an array of conscious concepts with original acoustics, and they do it well! David Cleaves is a magnificent maniac on the mandolin, and Drew McManus offers some compassion in the form of guitar and vocals, to compliment.
Intro track 'Adversaries,' provides a playful, fun, and boppy segway into this 13 track project. This track shows these gentlemen living, having a good time, and their love for music, listening to each other play, and the creation of it. The vibe is simplistic, yet the message is powerful. The instruments pair nicely with each other, making it hard not to smile.
The track, 'These Words,' holds imagery. (Imagine yourself in a garden, on a lovely sunny fall day, with a rod of straw in your mouth dancing between your pearly whites, because that is what this track sounds like) Now, this joyful track provides information, lays it out for the grab, but they don't force it on the listener, or tell how things "should" be. They are just speaking their mind, from their hearts, and leaving the knowledge open for interpretation. This song paints the picture of a mind expanding situation placed in a heavy setting. Drew's voice is gentle, yet impactful. Easy to listen to and understand. This style of vocalizing, especially when serving dense, and important information, is beneficial to communicate ideas and allows for the listener to grasp the material at hand.
Moving through the album, the form remains solid, the messages, helpful and simplified. 'Barefoot Blues' is like taking a stroll down a dirt path at the top of a mountain without shoes. Just singing and playing music about what they believe in, care about, and what makes them happy. They break into a back and forth frisky dual of instruments; these two musicians and their machines blend together perfectly, but stand out on their own as well, without taking away from one another. You can see the truth in their music; they come across as some honest and straightforward dudes.
Plain and simple, 'Observations,' distributes just that, observations these guys have witnessed, gained, and accumulated over the years traveling, touring, and living. This piece takes their visions and "surveillance," and turned them into a song. It pulls together the ideas and realizations of self work and allowing your soul to grow. An abrupt finish symbolizes a stance of impact.
Title track, 'In Between the Blinks' lays out a journey of sound and intent. All coming down to what and how we think. This song displays strength, struggle, breaking through and keeping a positive outlook, and self work, including messages to individuals in their lives. David ventures out of his realm (for this album) during this one, and adds in quite the special touch supplying us with a different pizzazz and spunk, spicing up this informative track. Remaining grateful, while observing the past, being present, and looking out for the future, 'In Between the Blinks' is an adventure of a song, really telling an open-ended story.
'Grateful' is the heart of this album. The vocals hold great flow, the pleasant jams come easy, and the perma-smiles caused are limitless. The compassion from Drew's voice really hits home in this one. Their ability to remain present while singing on some of these topics is impressive. Imagine David not opening his eyes throughout this entire track, or the whole album for that matter, simply smiling and swaying. The life lessons, dream work, and the ability to slow the mind are all layers of this song that stand out.
Halfway through the album, 'Awake,' is an eye-opener. A lyrical cry on the hidden truths of the world, quick off the tongue, more of a rap-style of speaking. Slowing for clarity, this light and flowy segment on waking up, realism of the system, and inner-realizations is a gentle approach on the harsh realities of the world we are living in. However, these guys find ways to make the best of it all, by relaying the information, yet not focusing on it; as well as finding ways to transmit it to the listener, without forcing or directing focus upon them.
'I Need You' changes the pace a bit, really getting into it, these guys love playing music, and it shows through deeper than any speaker, screen, or headphone ever could. The message this track holds is to not be scared, everything will be alright. Roots do grow deep. The sincerity in Drew's voice and passion in David's mandolin in this piece are recognized with flying colors! Drew takes on a light, yet raised voice, dragging these chanting and longing spits with such integrity. The new twang on David's baby purrs delightfully. A very beautiful instrumental segment leads into a pleasant jam about halfway through. This one is unique and fresh to the album, almost like Drew and David are standing on the tip of a rock overlooking a valley, singing this together, with words n' tools. The messages of family, growth, and change are apparent in this 5:07 art piece, really spilling their hearts out. The people will be ready, and all we need is you and us!
Taking a leisurely pace into fairy tale mode, 'It's Time,' recaps the album thus far, balancing, tuning, and moving forward, this collaboration of sounds bottles such a sharp, tight, clean sound. David's precise plucks make this song so on-point, in tune, and attentive. Drew plays with his style of speech again in this one, dragging and stretching his words out to highlight messages or ideas. His style of emphasis allows the listener to pick up on the last word and keep a current representation of the information. This track, short and sweet, has fun with the "gift of green," including it's medical qualities, not giving up the fight, and the silliness of the legal logistics now and then. Finalizing with a neat rap, timed perfectly with the instrumentals, they had some good clean fun with this one.
'Mountain People,' a "visual" track, paints an adequate picture of life on the hills, living in nature, the wilderness, our sacred rivers, a true place of spirit. This was a few minute story of how mountain people live, and what they cherish. The strength and integration of the spirit, the heart, and the roots merged perfectly into this laid back swag jam with a rugged vibe, yet. gentle. They speak out: "this land is our home!"
'Let's Move' speeds back up, with less of a gap between strums from both parties. The energy in this song, as well as the last portion of the album remains strong. This track came equipped with a really nice, solid, jam. Can't stop them now; the compassion in the vocals and instruments shine through with such emotion in this one, it's undeniable where these men's hearts lay...
The search for REAL news. 'Pirate News' brings truth: Raw.Basic.Truth. The song accepts no nonsense. There is no one source under all, this track pushes for the spread of information between us, and "you can escape to the mountains from the noise people call NEWS." These one-breath-raps leave impact and suggest importance. The minor instrumentals in this one focused the attention to the words, the messages, the lies, the truths, and the LOVE that still grows through it all!
Last but never least, 'Queen' pulls the entire album together. No matter what emotion, motivation, or inspiration felt during this whole album, 'Queen' ties this art piece up with that big red bow, but not really, leaving the listener empowered and ready. The message in this one leaned strongly towards love and gratitude, and appeared open for interpretation, weather it be love for a partner, family member, friend, music, our planet or anything else, the love was there. Throughout the song Drew spoke: "Love is only getting stronger." The feeling of sincerity lays in their messages on getting stronger, and working on a better life for us all. Finalizing with love, this mellow, loving piece concluded with a sacred finish.
An effortless listen. This peaceful duo, a voice for change, take portions of what is going on in the world whether it be governmental, news, our planet, food supply, or people, and lay it out through music. They always leave it open for debate, clarification, examination, and personal research. It was hard not to smile and nod the head. The album was like an essay with a fun and powerful introduction, quality knowledge shared, visual presentation through words and instruments, suggestions, then recapped, and finalizing with the intent of moving forward. The impact carried by Drew's voice holds similar power to those of Xavier Rudd, Bob Marley, and Nahko Bear of Medicine for the People. Drew and David are two peas in a pod. They share their time and space wonderfully. A perfect match. They don't take away from each other, nor do they try to be anyone they are not. They just play music, speak truth, and LOVE doing so.
*** Click here to give the album a listen ***
*** Say Hi to the boys on Facebook ***
'In Between the Blinks'
Album Review
SATSANG, a Montana born acoustic roots reggae duo, are having fun playing tunes and sharing information. 'In Between the Blinks' merges an array of conscious concepts with original acoustics, and they do it well! David Cleaves is a magnificent maniac on the mandolin, and Drew McManus offers some compassion in the form of guitar and vocals, to compliment.
Intro track 'Adversaries,' provides a playful, fun, and boppy segway into this 13 track project. This track shows these gentlemen living, having a good time, and their love for music, listening to each other play, and the creation of it. The vibe is simplistic, yet the message is powerful. The instruments pair nicely with each other, making it hard not to smile.
The track, 'These Words,' holds imagery. (Imagine yourself in a garden, on a lovely sunny fall day, with a rod of straw in your mouth dancing between your pearly whites, because that is what this track sounds like) Now, this joyful track provides information, lays it out for the grab, but they don't force it on the listener, or tell how things "should" be. They are just speaking their mind, from their hearts, and leaving the knowledge open for interpretation. This song paints the picture of a mind expanding situation placed in a heavy setting. Drew's voice is gentle, yet impactful. Easy to listen to and understand. This style of vocalizing, especially when serving dense, and important information, is beneficial to communicate ideas and allows for the listener to grasp the material at hand.
Moving through the album, the form remains solid, the messages, helpful and simplified. 'Barefoot Blues' is like taking a stroll down a dirt path at the top of a mountain without shoes. Just singing and playing music about what they believe in, care about, and what makes them happy. They break into a back and forth frisky dual of instruments; these two musicians and their machines blend together perfectly, but stand out on their own as well, without taking away from one another. You can see the truth in their music; they come across as some honest and straightforward dudes.
Plain and simple, 'Observations,' distributes just that, observations these guys have witnessed, gained, and accumulated over the years traveling, touring, and living. This piece takes their visions and "surveillance," and turned them into a song. It pulls together the ideas and realizations of self work and allowing your soul to grow. An abrupt finish symbolizes a stance of impact.
Title track, 'In Between the Blinks' lays out a journey of sound and intent. All coming down to what and how we think. This song displays strength, struggle, breaking through and keeping a positive outlook, and self work, including messages to individuals in their lives. David ventures out of his realm (for this album) during this one, and adds in quite the special touch supplying us with a different pizzazz and spunk, spicing up this informative track. Remaining grateful, while observing the past, being present, and looking out for the future, 'In Between the Blinks' is an adventure of a song, really telling an open-ended story.
'Grateful' is the heart of this album. The vocals hold great flow, the pleasant jams come easy, and the perma-smiles caused are limitless. The compassion from Drew's voice really hits home in this one. Their ability to remain present while singing on some of these topics is impressive. Imagine David not opening his eyes throughout this entire track, or the whole album for that matter, simply smiling and swaying. The life lessons, dream work, and the ability to slow the mind are all layers of this song that stand out.
Halfway through the album, 'Awake,' is an eye-opener. A lyrical cry on the hidden truths of the world, quick off the tongue, more of a rap-style of speaking. Slowing for clarity, this light and flowy segment on waking up, realism of the system, and inner-realizations is a gentle approach on the harsh realities of the world we are living in. However, these guys find ways to make the best of it all, by relaying the information, yet not focusing on it; as well as finding ways to transmit it to the listener, without forcing or directing focus upon them.
'I Need You' changes the pace a bit, really getting into it, these guys love playing music, and it shows through deeper than any speaker, screen, or headphone ever could. The message this track holds is to not be scared, everything will be alright. Roots do grow deep. The sincerity in Drew's voice and passion in David's mandolin in this piece are recognized with flying colors! Drew takes on a light, yet raised voice, dragging these chanting and longing spits with such integrity. The new twang on David's baby purrs delightfully. A very beautiful instrumental segment leads into a pleasant jam about halfway through. This one is unique and fresh to the album, almost like Drew and David are standing on the tip of a rock overlooking a valley, singing this together, with words n' tools. The messages of family, growth, and change are apparent in this 5:07 art piece, really spilling their hearts out. The people will be ready, and all we need is you and us!
Taking a leisurely pace into fairy tale mode, 'It's Time,' recaps the album thus far, balancing, tuning, and moving forward, this collaboration of sounds bottles such a sharp, tight, clean sound. David's precise plucks make this song so on-point, in tune, and attentive. Drew plays with his style of speech again in this one, dragging and stretching his words out to highlight messages or ideas. His style of emphasis allows the listener to pick up on the last word and keep a current representation of the information. This track, short and sweet, has fun with the "gift of green," including it's medical qualities, not giving up the fight, and the silliness of the legal logistics now and then. Finalizing with a neat rap, timed perfectly with the instrumentals, they had some good clean fun with this one.
'Mountain People,' a "visual" track, paints an adequate picture of life on the hills, living in nature, the wilderness, our sacred rivers, a true place of spirit. This was a few minute story of how mountain people live, and what they cherish. The strength and integration of the spirit, the heart, and the roots merged perfectly into this laid back swag jam with a rugged vibe, yet. gentle. They speak out: "this land is our home!"
'Let's Move' speeds back up, with less of a gap between strums from both parties. The energy in this song, as well as the last portion of the album remains strong. This track came equipped with a really nice, solid, jam. Can't stop them now; the compassion in the vocals and instruments shine through with such emotion in this one, it's undeniable where these men's hearts lay...
The search for REAL news. 'Pirate News' brings truth: Raw.Basic.Truth. The song accepts no nonsense. There is no one source under all, this track pushes for the spread of information between us, and "you can escape to the mountains from the noise people call NEWS." These one-breath-raps leave impact and suggest importance. The minor instrumentals in this one focused the attention to the words, the messages, the lies, the truths, and the LOVE that still grows through it all!
Last but never least, 'Queen' pulls the entire album together. No matter what emotion, motivation, or inspiration felt during this whole album, 'Queen' ties this art piece up with that big red bow, but not really, leaving the listener empowered and ready. The message in this one leaned strongly towards love and gratitude, and appeared open for interpretation, weather it be love for a partner, family member, friend, music, our planet or anything else, the love was there. Throughout the song Drew spoke: "Love is only getting stronger." The feeling of sincerity lays in their messages on getting stronger, and working on a better life for us all. Finalizing with love, this mellow, loving piece concluded with a sacred finish.
An effortless listen. This peaceful duo, a voice for change, take portions of what is going on in the world whether it be governmental, news, our planet, food supply, or people, and lay it out through music. They always leave it open for debate, clarification, examination, and personal research. It was hard not to smile and nod the head. The album was like an essay with a fun and powerful introduction, quality knowledge shared, visual presentation through words and instruments, suggestions, then recapped, and finalizing with the intent of moving forward. The impact carried by Drew's voice holds similar power to those of Xavier Rudd, Bob Marley, and Nahko Bear of Medicine for the People. Drew and David are two peas in a pod. They share their time and space wonderfully. A perfect match. They don't take away from each other, nor do they try to be anyone they are not. They just play music, speak truth, and LOVE doing so.
*** Click here to give the album a listen ***
*** Say Hi to the boys on Facebook ***