The Good Son - It's About That Time​.​.​.

The Good Son

​It's About That Time​.​.​.
self-released; 2016

3.5 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

The Good Son aka Jon Cervai is a singer/songwriter from Detroit, Michigan who recently released his sophomore effort entitled It's About That Time​.​.​.. Cervai like so many other solo musicians armed with a guitar and his voice has some talent but also falls prey to mishaps that plague so many others as well that choose to get at it alone.

The main issue with It's About That Time​.​.​. is the lack of variation. Cervai locks onto a melancholy, nostalgic vibe while relying on strummed chords to back up his very aesthetically pleasing voice. The differences between the songs feel marginal especially upon the first couple of listens. Suffice it to say a couple additional instruments scattered amongst the album could have helped along the way.

The guitar playing is basic throughout the album making the focal center all about his voice. Lucikly, Cervai doesn’t have any problems in that department. The songs sound like one single take as if you are listening to a heartfelt performance at a small venue or coffee shop. He is a dynamic and also has impressive range. 

The album starts with “The Storm” which is really indicative of the remainder of the album. Lyrically, Cervai prefers straightforward language that doesn’t take a lot of thought to process. 

As the album progresses the songs are consistently solid. The predictability of what comes next in songs like “Believin'” and  “The Heart” is circumvented by the performances themselves. After a couple more spins I can’t say there were songs that felt much more apt to be a single or enjoyed by a larger demographic of people.

​As long as Cervai can expand his palette not only in terms of instrumentation but also in terms of vibe and tone he should have no problem expanding upon the fan base he currently has. Until then It's About That Time​.​.​. is a pleasant release to enjoy.

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