The music industry’s dying, but the music is doing just fine. In the
battle between gimmick and pure talent, it’s the latter that Jon
Epworth fights with. Despite mastering almost every talent musically
and technologically, it’s Epworth’s voice and thoughts that are exposed
in the spotlight. The soul-rocker’s lyrics read as poetry out of
context and his voice ranges from a Bon Scott wail to a serene Thom
Yorke mumble. On “Passing Chords” he sings: “I’m a small cog on a
smaller set of gears and perhaps we’ll reach a few handfuls of ears.”
Turn Off Your Name deserves more than a few handfuls.
Give a listen or download it at Epworth’s site.
This article appears in Aug 6-12, 2009.