A River Running to Your Heart

This release, which comes hot on the heels of a great 2nd release with Bonnie Light Horseman, sees Eric D. Johnson embellishing his infectious indie-folk-rock sound with shimmering orchestration, resulting in a 21st century Laurel Canyon feel in the spirit of Joni Mitchell. While a bit more polished than previous releases, his delightful soft vocals and signature lilt still take center stage. Thematically it addresses the meaning of home, which for this native Chicagoan who has spent a good part of his life out west, is anywhere you set your writer's pad.

RIYL: Head & Heart, Fleet Foxes, The Shins
FCC: None

1 Dim North Start - spacey instrumental (fast, 0:51)

2 Rushin' River Valley - upbeat, twinkly piano & guitar over sweet vocals (fast,3:47)***

3 See The World By Night - somber with prominent bass line & spooky break (med, 3:00)*

4 Tacoma - catchy toe tapper ala Pokey LaFarge (med, 3:24)*

5 Waking Up In Los Angeles - soft & dreamy ode to the city of angels with great guitar intro (med, 4:02)**

6 We Used to Live Here - drop dead beautiful reminiscence on one's first adult home with acoustic guitar & synths (med, 2:45)***          

7 It All Comes Back - melancholic dream pop (med, 3:59)

8 Sick Of This Feeling - dreamy but somber with falsetto harmonies (med, 3:33)*

9 The Deep Well - ethereal with jazz flavor & soaring orchestration & synths (med, 3:44)*

10 Meridian - soft instrumental with light synths & meandering feel (slow, 3:32)

11 Jesus Tap' - somewhat chaotic (med, 2:22)