Bess Rogers - "Bess Rogers Presents Bess Rogers EP"
August 17, 2010
It was a warm, sunny day when I received the opportunity to preview Bess Rogers’ new EP, Bess Rogers Presents Bess Rogers. The EP is set to release in physical form on September 7th, digital formats on September 21st – you can pre-order the album here. I make it a point to say that it was warm and sunny because even if it were rainy and cold outside that day, upon listening to Rogers’ upcoming release, I would have felt as if it were a bright, warm Spring afternoon. (Check out the Amazon link to the right and download the EP!)
I am, admittedly a new listener to Rogers’ music. I have experienced her brilliant showmanship as the guitarist for Ingrid Michaelson, which certainly proves her ability to embrace the melancholy but wrap it in humor. And as I sat and listened to Rogers’ new solo EP, I was reminded of why I love listening to this genre of music. It makes you stop and listen, brings to mind images of life’s bumps and bruises, and yet reminds you to not take yourself so seriously. I love it…it’s deeper.
The first song is “Come Home”, which I can easily envision as a set opener for Rogers’ live show. It has a great opening rhythm and a contagious kind of energy. The drumming sounds a bit reminiscent of a war cry, which works great with the lyric “Maybe this is not a perfect life, but it never will be without a good fight.” It’s a song of desperation, but in that honest sense where you communicate to the person that you love that yes, life is hard and sometimes it would be easier to quit, but really life is much better spent with the one you love, no matter the obstacles or how hard you have to fight. It’s a well-written song, and the thoughtful writing and musicianship that made it a solid piece of art impressed me.
Next up is a song called “What We Want”. The intro to the song is a beautiful acoustic guitar piece that reminds me of why Rogers plays guitar for Ingrid…she is a great musician. But perhaps the message of the song is what captivated me the most. The lyrics revolve around reaching that point in life where you step back and wonder how you got to where you are in life. It forces you to ask yourself what you wanted in the beginning, or at least, what you thought you wanted. It’s so easy to get caught up in the grind of daily life and, before you know it, your passions and dreams get pushed aside. What Rogers communicates in this song, is that no matter what, the journey you take and the person you take it with is really all that matters. That’s a message that holds true for each and every human being.
The following track is called “Good Enough”. It has a sort of waltzy-jazzy intro that is a bit haunting…and amazing. The song uses the metaphor of being a piece of clay that gets shaped into what the other person in the relationship wants, then realizing that it is not possible to be something you are not. It continues to say that there is a breaking down process and rebuilding in the aftermath of those relationships. It’s a little defiant and vengeful - two great emotions to inspire and Rogers fuses lyrics and musicianship in a brilliant way in this song. The guitar solo at the end is a fantastic close to this tune.
As a break in the deep, introspective pieces, we have “Favorite Day” up next. To be honest, it sounds very much like an Ingrid Michaelson song…whimsical and narrative. It’s about meeting someone you have a connection with and reliving that day with them…all the little moments - no matter how awkward, weird, random, or humorous - that make it sweet. It should be noted that Rogers makes a reference to her punk band in the song. Yes…I said punk band. Just beyond that sweet, singer-songwriter demeanor is a pretty badass punk-girl rock star.
The final track is called “All In Good Fun” - a song that shows off that little bit of soul in Bess Rogers’ voice. The song is well composed and has a complete-ness to it. Rogers is singing from the perspective of someone in a relationship who is more invested than the other person, so there is a saddening depth to the lyrics and music. Just before reaching the chorus, Rogers sings, “…look what you’ve done” in a demanding way. And as we enter the chorus, the music becomes almost a light-hearted, carnival-sounding composition where Rogers is quoting the other person in the relationship by saying “It’s all in good fun, only a game we play”. So there is this dueling of those two perspectives in a relationship in which one person gives while the other person takes.
What I really love about this EP is that Rogers’ voice is so clear and smooth. Within that clarity is a simplicity that makes the songs easily relatable. The wit and thought that went into the lyrics is what will grab people’s attention and keep it. And since Rogers is a solid musician, her playing and musical composition in the songs will lock people in. After listening to this EP, I am really excited to see what Rogers will do in the future, and I am excited for radio and people who enjoy music from the singer-songwriter genre to get their ears on these songs. I think everyone can enjoy the same sun and warmth that I did as I listened to these songs…and who doesn’t need to feel that in these times?
Follow Us!
