"Undisturbed" is singer-songwriter Beaver
Nelson’s third album in four years. Beaver was born in Oklahoma,
but his family moved to Texas when he was two years old. Turned on to
the music of Springsteen, Townes Van Zandt, and Dylan by a youth camp
counselor, Beaver’s life was forever changed. At an age when most
of us were looking for sex, beer, and rock–n-roll, Beaver had already
found his calling as a singer-songwriter. In fact, he sold over
800 homemade cassette tapes to his schoolmates and fellow camp members.
"Undisturbed" can best be described as soulfully, roots-rock
oriented, but I feel it’s still OKOM (Our Kind Of Music). His voice is
raspy and unique, and ranges from rollicking to soulful to mournful.
"Undisturbed" is kind of a contradiction, in that these songs did
“disturb” me. They “disturbed” me in that they dug up an array of
emotions and past memories in my mind.
Track 1: "Mad River" – A nice song about someone who seems to have
discovered his purpose and the meaning of life. This song has some
good slide guitar work that reminds me of a slow moving river on a lazy
Sunday afternoon.
Track 2: "Better Now" – Melodic and rhythmic. A cynical song reflecting
on the beauty of the good times as well as the bad times in life.
Track 3: "The Beauty In Store" – This song was written for his son to
prepare him for the life ahead of him. It contains a very
regimented drum beat, almost militaristic, mixed with light, plunky
guitar. The music alone seems to convey “do what you’re supposed
to, but have fun while you’re doing it.”
Track 4: "Did You Know?" - This tune starts out and ends with a very
unique guitar sound that evokes a very strange emotion. Mournful and
mysterious, this song celebrates the seemingly inconsequential moments
in life.
Track 5: "Eleven Again" – A fast rocking number with a driving drum
beat. This one reflects on the loss of youth in a nostalgic and
straightforward way. It celebrates the innocence and naivety of
youth.
Track 6: "Experiments In Love" – I believe this is the best song on “Undisturbed”.
Slow and rhythmic, it reflects on how we all “experiment” on one another
until we find our true love. It tells of how blindly and
recklessly we feel our way through relationships until we (hopefully)
get it right. Unfortunately, one person’s experiment is another
person’s broken heart.
“Experiments in love performed by fools,
experiments in love mean and cruel,
experiments in love are never fun
when they're done to you."
Track 7: "God’s Tears" – A Beatle-esque type song. This song has a
good blending of guitar, piano, and Wurlitzer. It’s very fast and
catchy.
Track 8: "I Wanted Too Much" – This song intertwines human emotions with
the changing of the seasons. Winter won’t last forever, nor will
the bad times. What gets us through the winter is the hope of
spring. I like the piano in this one.
Track 9: "Where Are You?" – Nostalgia and longing set to beautiful piano
playing.
Track 10: "What Is That To Me?" – A short anthem-like, rock/OKOM ballad.
This song ends much too soon.
Track 11: "When We Were Friends" – The road of life can be twisted and
uncertain and so can friendships. This song offers hope for both,
for the road of life can provide crossroads where old friends can meet
again.
Track 12: "Trash Like This" – This song has a great hook and slide
guitar. Towards the end of the song you hear an organ playing
through the right ear and guitar through the left. A nice up-tempo
song to end a very good CD.
Of the 12 cuts, 5, 6, 7, 10 & 12 were my favorites. Beaver Nelson
is a unique artist and "Undisturbed" is a unique album.
There aren’t too many albums out there that mix the
guitar, organ, and piano together. "Undisturbed" is
eclectic, fun and thought provoking
all rolled into one. Check it out.
Sully
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All four of Beaver's CDs are available for
purchase through
www.texasmusicroundup.com
