Johnny Helm, Divide, CD Review

An East Coast singer-songwriter with some strong ties to the local Hawaiian music scene, Johnny Helm has put together a unique acoustic collection of ambient, late-night coffeehouse tunes in his release, Divide. 

Helm's pleasant and gravelly vocals have a lot to say. And why wouldn't they? Transplanting from Rhode Island to Hawaii in 1996, Helm had much to write about. He got in quickly with some very good Hawaiian company including local radio legend Wili Moku. He also got some stage time at Jack Johnson's 2007 Kokua Festival in Honolulu. If that's not good songwriting material, I don't know what is!

Most of the songs on this album are mellow, acoustic guitar based tunes. Pleasantly, they're not your typical pop songs. Instead, they are creative, personal stories told in Helm's own unique, melodic way. Helm opens the disc with an, anthem-like song titled, "Staring up Trees." Following this tune is one of the many disc highlights, "Haunted Wind." It has a very cool, unexpected, and well-written electric guitar solo, which shows that Helm is not only a solid rhythm player, but quite the soloist as well. 

Helm's vocals have been compared to the likes of Peter Gabriel, which is noticeable on a few of the tracks. However, what I found thoroughly enjoyable were the tracks on which Helm's vocals were difficult to compare to anyone's but his own. This was especially the case on one of my favorite songs, "Home." "Home" is one of those songs where your ears, your mind, and your soul say, "This is a good tune."

Helm's vocals are also refreshingly unique on, "Drink Smoke." His melodic guitar playing along with the subtle acoustic guitar soloing layered over the top gives this tune an authentic coffeehouse feel. 

Helm's CD, Divide, reminds me of the times I would be sitting around with friends on a back porch, talking into the very late night and listening to music just like this. These songs are full of personal stories and experiences, and the intimately produced recordings make you gladly feel as if Helm is in the room with his guitar and a few friends strumming away.

Artist Website: www.myspace.com/johnnyhelm  

Review By: ListenersGeneration.com