Since his appearance on the music scene with his 2000 album, Carousel, Nashville native Will Hoge has consistently garnered many comparisons to big names like Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty.
Four albums later, Will Hoge does not seem to be surprising anyone with the sounds on his new record, Draw the Curtains, released on Tuesday, Oct. 9.
While Hoge’s sharp and moving lyrics throughout the album demand attention, he does little to make many of his songs, especially the fast-paced ones, stand out.
The opening track, “When I Can Afford to Lose”, is pretty indicative of Hoge’s album as a whole: it mixes folk music with old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll. Hoge’s lyrics are striking: he mixes talented guitar solos with some classic harmonica parts.
“These Were the Days” follows as a pick-me-up. But instead of comforting an afflicted soul, it merely mimics “Mr. Jones” or “Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby” of Counting Crows fame.
The overall structure of the album is one of balance and equality, but not originality. Hoge interchanges soulful, slow ballads with up-beat dance-alongs that all sound fairly similar.
“I’m Sorry Now” is the album’s saving grace: it blends Hoge’s Nashville background (think: fiddle and guitar) with a bluesy croon. And it sounds nothing like Adam Duritz.