Release Date: March 28, 2025
Label: Gale Road Records
The opening track, "Faith," sets the tone with its
airy and optimistic melody, evoking a sense of warmth and joy that will surely
make you smile from the inside out.
"Love Story" starts with a similar atmosphere that builds
with multiple layers of keys that have excellent rhythm and a resonating sound.
If there is faith, you will find the love within—absolute beauty set to the
piano's keys. At the conclusion, things slow down for the final unwind.
"Fall" shares the common thread of rhythm continuing
to keep things on the brighter side of life. It starts nicely, and then the
tempo changes quickly. As the tones and colors emerge, the piano keys move
faster, creating a need for the mood, but in a good way. The positive channeling
of energy remains the foundation for every track.
"Changes" happen every second of every day—some we
experience and some we never see but can still be affected by. The piano is
soft and paced beautifully to bring your state of mind into the right place for
acceptance. If you are thinking about that word and its meaning, the music is
meant to relax and reflect on how things have changed.
"Ireland" is the emerald isle. I have never been there
but have seen pictures of the coast's landscape with its beautiful grass fields
and towering cliffs. It is undoubtedly breathtaking. It is the longest track at
6:34, and rightly so. Dedicating a song to a country is quite the tribute and
must hold a lot of meaning for the artist. The music is cinematic sweeping
through the piano's keys, reflecting the word breathtaking within its auditory
excellence.
"Maine" has hundreds of acres of untouched natural
beauty. My family and I used to go there every year for a summer vacation, and
we all loved it. On the East Coast, thousands of miles away from the subject of
the last track but holding its distinct beauty and New England charm, it would
keep you in its spell. The piano sounds like an invitation to visit there with
softness and a melody filled with the warmth of the sun and the soul of a man
yearning to go there. I sure miss it.
"Once Upon a Time" is a story for us all; whatever
that is, you can relive it as the music plays. The song is beautiful and
carries a certain sadness because of the joy of the story and the memories held
within. This was one of my favorites. Something about the rhythm and tempo
pleased me because it went straight to the heart in seconds. The classical
leanings are evident in most of these tunes, but more so in this one.
"One Last Run" may indicate the end of something, but
the track's rhythms and tones say something that gives it a life of its own and
makes it count before it's over. On the shortest track, there was a lot to be
said; however, there was enough time to stretch things out and provide the
emotion underneath all the beauty provided by the keys.
"Girl in the Painting" made me think about how life
can stand still for eternity in a painting—a portrayal of one person and what
it can emit as you look at it. Is it someone you knew, or would you like to
know? Does it become real as you picture it in your mind? Music has the power
to do all that, and solo piano can be so picturesque and suggest so many
thoughts. The track title is a good start; your imagination is ignited, and the
gorgeous notes pull at you as you create your story or picture.
"Storm" is the grand finale. After all the previous
tracks of elegance and simple beauty, we now have a storm, or is it? It doesn't
feel like a storm based on how it begins, as the keys are practical and
purposeful. The tempo is slower with meaning, and the beauty of the note's
placement is extraordinary. Perhaps this was a storm of thoughts that came
racing to the mind of Stephen Wallack as he built this composition, which was
interpreted through the keys differently to relax him and slow that very
process. Whatever it was, it came out lovely, and I appreciated how the
recording closed out.
Open is a collection of ten tracks that take you on an emotional journey, filling your heart and mind with positive energy. Each track title invites you to reflect, and as you immerse yourself in the music, you'll find a listening experience that resonates deeply and stays with you.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR
Reviews Founder
March 28, 2025
Tracks:
01. Faith
02. Love Story
03. .Fall
04. Changes
05. Ireland
06. Maine
07. Once Upon a Time
08. One Last Run
09. Girl in the Painting
10. Storm
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