Introducing the latest and perhaps greatest project yet from lifelong songwriter John Consalvo. Voyage on Soulmate Seas is a finely-crafted conceptual album – a story told by way of a series of purposeful songs, beginning with the cinematic spoken segment of Passing The Torch.
The album employs unmistakable vocals from Consalvo himself, as well as divine guitar-play both acoustic and electric, and an intimate to full-band set-up intermittently gracing the airwaves.
We progress through thirteen original songs, the likes of which move and uplift and engage with listeners on a powerful and musically sublime level.
The first melodic resounding hit of the project is soon to follow the introduction, and it’s a stunning track. Where Do I Find Her is huge, a seamless transition from the thoughtful depth of the introduction, and a euphoric rock arrangement brought to life by some clearly talented musicians.
John’s voice is gorgeous here, impressively distinct and both smooth and raspy throughout a catchy rising melody and series of poetic reflections. That’s something this album masterfully incorporates – that balancing of poetic vagueness, metaphor, and that which is unignorably personal.
Jilly Bean comes afterwards, softening the mood with a quirky lyric and acoustic shuffle of a story and song. It’s a brief moment of lightness, before we move into the blissful fingerstyle guitar-work and story of the mighty Alone.
What is on the surface a hugely uplifting, feel-good rock song akin to the likes of Bon Jovi, juxtaposes its own musical optimism with the apparent heartbreak and loneliness at the centre of the lyrics. However, as things evolve, the huge second chorus, the soaring solo of the middle-8, there’s a clear sense of overcoming. Something better lies ahead, an aura of freeing oneself from the chains and turmoil of the past. John’s voice reaches peak passion and grit, as the closing idea of saying goodbye to all of this repeats and resounds.
A huge single, an outright highlight from the album, but in truth – it’s an album jam-packed with addictive rock gems of a similar nature.
Next we get a fierce southern rock anthem with a snappy hook and short, raspy verse lines for that true Americana grit and vibe.
Get My Million reflects on the largely false ideal of thinking that riches will lead you to your true love. The song has a huge energy and passion to it, and is rightfully followed quite beautifully by the more intimate folk stomp of a deeply contemplative Every Second. Once again, John’s voice is captivating – versatile but emotive through each changing stage of this project.
Acoustic delicacy and something of a warm sense of positivity continues into IMY, a piece that becomes more of a simple Goo Goo Dolls love song and pop-rock anthem later on. After this, the vulnerability and longing of Sometimes is heartbreakingly relatable, comforting yet cutting, and rises up for another superb example of John’s impeccable ability to write songs and hooks that satisfy in both story and sound.
More intoxicating acoustic guitar work and a growing sense of atmohoseric depth welcomes the cinematic embrace of The Miss – an instrumental snippet, leading us beautifully into the gentle expressions and pure acoustic sound of Show Me How To Live.
As mentioned before, each song is a story in its own right, and both the music and lyrical delivery reflect this every time. This latter song evolves to envelop its audience, the sentiments and music growing more evocative and intense as things loop and wholly immerse us.
And There She Was strikes as a laid-back pop anthem again, somewhat hopeful and comforting as it rises to greet us. Then for Shake My Soul, the divine guitar-play and bluesy Southern sound of earlier returns – met by gorgeously harmonised voices that naturally set a nostalgic, stripped-back mood. The performance demands attention, but does so with humility and heart – compelling you to tune in closely at this penultimate moment. A definite highlight for its uniqueness and intimacy.
Then to finish, Now We’re Off raises the pulse – and the roof. An up-tempo pop-punk kind of closer, standing tall on energy and poetic images alike, with one last stunner of a hook to top off what has been a completely absorbing and elevating collection of original songs.
Voyage on Soulmate Seas is perfectly crafted, in my view. A fine example of great songwriting that’s both interesting and enjoyable, and the sort of project that will hopefully keep you coming back to re-listen from start to finish.
To find out more about the making of this album, read our interview with John Consalvo. Download Voyage On Soulmate Seas. Find John Consalvo on Instagram.
