Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Sean Whiting - Hell or High Water

1/9/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Sean Whiting

Hell or High Water
self-released; 2015

3.4 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Hailing from Paintsville, Kentucky Sean Whiting is a singer/songwriter who recently released Hell or High Water. The six songs revolve around no more than his guitar and vocals. These songs could have easily worked with a full band and sometimes I felt the songs would have benefitted from the kinetic energy of a drums set and bass. That being said most of the songs work just fine.

Whiting’s guitar playing revolves around fairly basic chords structures and sticks to strumming while he implements picking some of the time. Don’t expect the technical guitar skills you might hear from a Kristian Matsson or Devendra Banhart. When it comes to the vocal performance Whiting is dynamic and heartfelt. I could see a lot of people enjoying the tone of his voice.

“Hell or High Water” is the song that felt most like it needed the support of a full band. The guitar and vocals feel like they are being pushed and that energy he is trying to convey isn’t quite met with the sparse instrumentation.

“The Rain” revolves around a couple of strummed guitar chords and a very good vocal performance. He sings “I feel the storm a comin/The clouds across the sky/I hear the wind a blowin/Death is on the rise/Hear it comes/I can feel the rain.Here it comes/I can feel the rain”. Whiting has more success with the melancholy “To Be Her Man”. I thought his vocals sounded great on this song. His vocals sounded a little less forced than on the first two songs and a bit of sadness on his voice works for him.

“Insecurity” was another song that I felt was begging for a backing band. Nonetheless the song is still solid. Whiting sings “Don't be afraid/You better get used to me/No don't be afraid/I'm just your insecurity”

“I'm Gonna Love You” moves along at a slow pace and is only saved by the heartfelt vocals. The song needed a change in pace or something at some point to get the juices flowing a bit.

Making music with just your acoustic and vocals is getting harder and harder to get away with and get noticed  if for no other reason that their is so much competition out there right now. Whiting has some talent and is a good songwriter but may want consider working with a backing band at some point. ​
official website
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band

© Divide and Conquer 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact