Alex Gerard - ​6A

Alex Gerard

​6A
self-released; 2016

3.9 out of 5

By Andrew Westberry
​

Originally from the Twin Cities, Alex Gerard is a Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter with a rich background in music and musical education. Recorded over a course of two years in a host of home and professional studios, 6A is a collection of five unique, complementary songs that develop Gerard’s style and sound.

​The opening title track begins with a crescendoing, soul-infused, hauntingly somber section that gives Gerard’s agile voice the spotlight before dissolving into a groovy jazz jam that highlights Gerard’s instrumentative talent. After one more transition, the song ends on a slower, more deliberate blues note, making for a truly intriguing listening experience.

“A Serenade” follows with smooth, mellow acoustic guitar chords and similarly sweet vocals that layer over one another with ease. The slow, swinging rhythm is accompanied by soft claps, vocal harmonies and minimalistic percussion sounds that add much to the complexity of the song’s sound. A fuller soundscape is created in “Ivan’s Retreat,” an upbeat, catchy pop rock song with pulsing bass riffs, steady drums and reverb-laced electric guitars.

Gerard returns to his characteristic jazzy blues style in “You Suit Yourself”,with a simple acoustic guitar slowly building into a full-band instrumentation as Gerard explores the limits of his vocal range as his voice floats above the rest of the sounds. In the soft, reflective “Hold Me Closer Mama” a chorus of voices is joined by a cello, guitar chords and solid percussion, making for a subdued, yet powerful tune.

As a whole, 6A exhibits an extraordinary amount of talent and a high level of musical maturity that bodes well for Alex Gerard’s musical journey. Each of the five tracks exudes a particular sound that is both cohesive to the album and unique in and of itself, making for an enjoyable, accessible and spectacular work of art. 

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