The Bottom Line
Pros
- "Falling Water River"
- "Frightened by the Little Things"
- "The Last Lullaby"
- "Far Away From Where The Fighting Is"
Cons
- None.
Description
- The tenth disc from the duo Switchback (individually Martin McCormack and Brian FitzGerald).
- A complete story told in ten heart wrenching original songs.
- Produced by Switchback and Mike Hagler for Waygood Records.
Guide Review - Switchback - Falling Water River
I've always been very fond of concept albums as a whole, and there are many which touch the heart and mind in spectacular ways, from rare masterpieces like Michael Nesmith's "The Prison" to the sublime beauty of Marty Stuart's "The Pilgrim." Music which so definitely tells a specific story that while you can listen to each individual track, when they're played together in order it goes from merely beautiful to transcendent.As a duo, Switchback has been recording together since 1993. "Falling Water River" is a tremendous addition to an already impressive catalog of music, including their 2002 "The Fire That Burns," which was selected by Performing Songwriter magazine as one of the 12 best independent releases of the year. "Falling Water River" certainly deserves to be rated as highly. The music tells the heartbreaking story of Private William Henry, who is shipped off to fight and die in a pointless war (make no mistake; while not an overtly political album, there is no doubt it is Iraq where Private Henry dies. The lyrics of "Far Away From Where the Fighting Is" leave no questions on that). Leaving behind a young wife and family, Private Henry is killed in an explosion. We live the moment with him, as he remembers his first dance with his wife, in "The Death of William Henry." We feel her pain in "The Loneliest Road."
This disc is an attempt to put a human face on this war, the folded flag and the coffins we haven't been permitted to see. It needs to be heard and experienced.