You, But Metaphorically - Cities

​You, But Metaphorically

Cities
self-released; 2016

3.4 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Braxton Kocher is singer/songwriter who goes by the name You, But Metaphorically. He goes at it alone on his EP Cities with his voice and guitar. His voice is dynamic and versatile. He can go from sounding as if he is about to shed a tear to sounding as someone just shoved a knife into his abdomen. You may wonder what I mean that but it's no hyperbole as you hear on the opener “West Chester.” There were times where it sounds as if he is going to break down and lose it like when he is singing about hell. Towards the end of the song he starts screaming at the top of his lungs. A little after the three-minute mark he screams as if he just got stabbed in the gut. It scared the crap out of me.

Kocher is a good guitar player. He showcases his skills all across the album including “Philadelphia.” He mixes it up from guitar picking to strumming and it never sounds awkward between the transitions. 

“Boston” is a straightforward song and arguably his best song. His vocal delivery is top notch here and he stays within a comfortable range. Once I got to the third song I started to realize an obvious pop punk influence. You can hear it in the way he plays his guitar as well as his vocal delivery. 

It literally sounds like Kocher is crying on “State College.” He holds it together for most of the song. In fact he sounds calm and melancholy towards the beginning. I enjoyed the guitar picking and vocal melody but I felt like giving him a hug after he loses it on the last line of the song. He closes with another sad melancholy song entitled “Home.”

Kocher has some talent and the songs emit a melancholy that seems to be more pervasive for younger people who are still trying to figure out the world around. Nothing wrong with that. We have all been there. I couldn't help but think some of the songs would sound good with a band. Food for thought, maybe.

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