You know, I’ve been a music critic and lover for a long
time, sometimes out of intelligence and sometimes out of ignorance. But,
rarely, an artist is capable of sending shivers down my spine. Jake Mcelfresh,
the only member of Front Porch Step is able to do just that. Front Porch Step
doesn’t mesmerize you with his singing, and tons of people play guitar with his
skill level, but no one writes like him. He hits the audience right in the
heart with every track. Listeners can relate to his words; he puts emotions
into lyrics in a way no one can match.
(Jake Mcelfresh singing.)
His
music often centers around love and relationships, but he also touches about
his grandmother’s death. Most of his music is truly depressing, but soothing.
Just listening to a few songs, you are able to tell that this man is (or was)
troubled. And the best musicians put their troubles into song. The way he expresses his experiences is almost
story like, which is why he is considered folk. He has recently released an
album, titled Aware. A majority of
the tracks are capable of making you break down in an emotional wreck, but a
few of the songs are happy, such as “If I Tremble” and “Lullaby.” The entire
album, which are his only songs released, all follow the same pattern; they are
all acoustic songs.
(The cover of Aware.)
His
music is on iTunes, Amazon, Best Buy, and Pure Noise Records website. He isn’t all that popular, racking maybe two
or three million views total (on 11 songs.) But, he should be much more popular
than he is. If you ever have a day where you just want to breakdown, or are
having love issues, play his music. My favorite songs are “I Won’t Say That I’m
Okay” and "If I Tremble."
The lyrics I say are just clever one-liners, or just what is the best to me.
“I hate your cigarettes, and the men that you go see,
because one is killing you, while the other is killing me.” (From his song
titled “Aware.”)
“And I can’t hear you calling out my name, but I still feel
your breath across my neck, driving me insane. And you don’t love me, so how do
you explain? You walk away from my life, when you live inside my brain.”(From
his song, “Poison.”)
And the deepest one here (I had a similar situation not too
long ago, so this especially speaks to me. This is probably one of, if not his
deepest, songs.)
“You always taught me to be good, and always do my best to
be selfless. But, I know that God is holding you, and I am so damn jealous.
Cause, I miss your arms around me, and the way you make me laugh, and now I’m
stuck inside this prison that says you’re never coming back. So, I’m sitting in
my room, as I try to write this song. I’m so sorry it’s not good enough, but it’s
just that everything seems wrong. And I keep bursting into tears because the
pain won’t go away, because the Father took my best friend and said she cannot
come out to play. Anymore.” (From “I Won’t Say That I’m Ok.”)
Pictures from:
http://www.altpress.com/reviews/entry/front_porch_step_aware
http://frontporchstepmusic.com/post/78423096928
http://www.straightedgeworldwide.com/2014/01/video-front-porch-step-drown/
