The songs on Adam James Sorensen's solo debut album were, he says, inspired by the return to his native Chicago following travels that took him to New York and Europe.
If he was glad to be home, you wouldn't guess it from these eleven tunes which all have a subdued, melancholy feel.
Confusingly too, on Chicago River he sings not about arriving but of leaving the city "before it gets cold" which makes you wonder if he really knows whether he is coming or going.
"Has the midwest got you down" is the rhetorical question posed on the title track and judging by the overall tone of this record, you'd assume the answer was in the affirmative. "As we're falling towards the ground, we sometimes find our way" (People Start Fires) is about as optimistic as things get.
It is laid-back and tranquil to the point of being soporific with songs like Winter Song and Shadows In The Snow emphasising the gelid mood.
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A mellow, unhurried quality is maintained by an impressive list of guest musicians which includes bassist Evan Brubaker (who also produced the album), Eyvind Kang on viola, Colby Sander on dobro and Son Volt multi-instrumentalist Mark Spence. Rachel Harrington is listed as backing singer on two tracks but is barely audible.
Nothing is obviously out of place but the one-paced (slow!) delivery means that the songs glide by without making any great impression.
Adam James Sorensen's website
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