Album Review: Harrison Rapp (Self-Titled) – Nadine Records
Reviewed by Harry Kaplan
So let me get the chronology down for you all. First, I was doing my Bandcamp treasure hunt when I heard “Tell Us What We’ve Won” by Portland artist Harrison Rapp. It immediately put its hooks in me. Very minimalist and lo-fi. The song begins with a simple 4/4 drumbeat, and then the guitar kicks in.
Minimalism is a touchy thing. It has to be loose and open enough to evoke a haunting, melancholy response, but not so sparse that it fails to become a full song. Harrison has the balance down perfectly. The music is sparse and open, yet there is strong harmony and a catchy melody. The perfect melding. His vocals are reminiscent of John Lennon with a little bit of Wilco.
Since only one of the four songs had been released, I wrote to the listed email address to see if I could hear the rest before the September 18 release date. That is how I met Mandy Morgan, who founded Nadine Records in Portland in 2013.
Another song on this powerful four-song collection is “Everything and Everything.” Great lyrics, a great vibe, and the minimalism remains intact throughout. It is incredibly infectious, and when the song was over, I was left wanting more. Good thing for repeat, so I can listen again and again.
There is a real push-and-pull aspect to this collection. While it seems morose, at least musically, some of the songs are very happy and celebratory. “Seppo’s Song” is a tribute to Harrison’s brother. Don’t let the music fool ya—this is a happy song, and it made me feel all warm inside. It proved to me that edgy doesn’t have to be mean-spirited, negative, or super loud. In fact, this song is quite refreshing, and I feel like I want to meet Seppo. He sounds pretty cool.
Normally, I would review three songs on a standard album or EP. That is usually enough to get a sense of an album and give readers something tangible they can use in their own research. Since this collection is four songs, I think it is prudent to review them all. I can’t leave one song hanging. That just wouldn’t be right.
“Bright Ribbons” is the final song for review, and it fits in nicely with the rest of the collection. It shares that same simple feel and clocks in at two minutes flat. It’s not a fast punk song, but it still manages to pack a lot of energy into a fairly small frame. The song is composed of Harrison’s vocals and an electric guitar with some delay. Absolutely beautiful song construction. You can watch the video for “Bright Ribbons” here.
In closing, I want to say that these four songs fight well above their weight class. “Tell Us What We’ve Won” was the catalyst, and the other three tunes sealed the deal. It may take a listen or two to get it, but it will happen, and when it does, you will be rewarded mightily.
Listen and buy Harrison Rapp’s single here