Yesterday I recommended looking into the catalog of the New York–based singer/songwriter Eytan Mirsky. If you're looking for a good place to start, his brand-new album would be a solid choice.
All Over the Map is his ninth album in a discography that dates back to 1996. He's perhaps best known as the king of indie film soundtracks, but he is also highly admired in power pop & indie pop circles for his clever lyrics and splendidly crafted melodies. His staying power as an artist is a reminder that even in a world of music that's constantly changing, great songs never go out of style.
As its title suggests, All Over the Map doesn't adhere to any particular genre of music. After three decades as a solo artist, Mirsky has definitely cultivated a signature musical identity. All Over the Map touches every point from country to R & B to ballads to easygoing pop songs, but it all sounds unmistakably like Eytan Mirsky. As a lyricist, he's in absolute peak form. The wonderfully charming "Did What I Came To Do" finds him downplaying his contributions to humanity but acknowledging that our life achievements are not nearly as important as our personal relationships. In contrast to the optimism of this song, there are some classic tales of love gone bad. "Two Piece Puzzle" employs an extended metaphor to ponder why a relationship just can't seem to click. "Fooling Exactly Nobody" features what we might refer to as an "unreliable narrator," and the irony is that he is actually the one not fooling anyone. "Apologize in Advance" puts a wonderfully clever twist on the love-gone-bad motif. "If You're So Smart" hilariously weaves a tale of being romantically involved with someone who constantly treats you like an idiot. How can I not laugh out loud at lyrics like these?
But hey, if you’re so smart what are you doing with me?
I hear they’re looking for professors up at Harvard University.
You seem to know everything there is to know in this world;
You told me so repeatedly
While Mirsky is so good at writing about relationship woes, he also tackles some even more powerful subject matter on All Over the Map. The ballads "Almost Didn't Cry" and "Give Me a Sign" are both beautifully conveyed reflections on grief. The latter is absolutely one of the saddest songs I've ever heard in my life — but not in a way that's meant to be sappy or overly dramatic. It's real, raw, and honest in a way that's deeply relatable. One of our universal sorrows as a species is coping with the death of a loved one. In our grief, we can only hope that somehow, some way, somewhere, we'll be reunited. This is a deeply personal song for Mirsky, but it will hit you hard if you've been through a similar experience. I can attest to that. What a beautiful and deeply moving song! It seems a tad pre-mature to say this is one of Mirsky's best songs when the guy has been writing great songs for decades. But I'll say it: it's one of his best songs.
Not just a stellar collection of songs, All Over the Map is a first-rate musical production. Sadly, this is Mirsky's final album with his longtime producer Jon Gordon, who passed away earlier this year. In addition to producing the record, Gordon played guitar, bass, and keyboards. Along with the excellent drummer Peter McDade, a whole slew of talented players contribute to this exceptional release. The album also features a couple of delightful songwriting collaborations. Whitney Matheson ("If I Could Only Draw") and Robin Littlefield ("Lost You in the Jet Stream") both contribute lyrics, and both songs are standouts. You have to admire a songwriter who isn't afraid to share the spotlight with other talented writers. "If I Could Only Draw" is just so clever and sweet and guaranteed to make me smile every time I hear it. Sure, the song is a little bit about wishing for the ability to draw. But really it's about wanting to be worthy of someone, and Mirsky delivers it to perfection. And on an album where metaphor looms so large, the eloquent "Lost You in the Jet Stream" is a perfect fit.
With All Over the Map, Eytan Mirsky proves himself to be as dependable as ever. This is a master class singer/songwriter doing what he does best, and such a thing is a joy to behold. Head on over to Bandcamp and get yourself a compact disc signed by the artist himself!
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