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Album Review: John Francis – The Better Angels

John Francis
The Better Angels
(Dualtone Music Group, 2010)

Track list:
01. The Way the Empire Fell
02. Johnny Cash on the Radio
03. Who?
04. People On the Edge of the World
05. The Beautiful One
06. Prayer In a Time of Drought
07. Call Me When You’re Ready
08. War Register Blues
09. Love Came To Me Dressed In Red
10. Mississippi
11. Everything Is Falling Away
12. Brother’s Keeper
13. Love Oh Love (‘Til My Train)

This past Tuesday (Nov. 9) was the release of John Francis’ new album, The Better Angels. This album contains some very emotionally intense lyrics coupled with some of the most beautiful melodies, spread across multiple genres/styles — American, country, folk, and rock all heard with great production.

The opening track, “The Way the Empire Fell” is such an in-your-face, high energy rock song, and a real ear-opener. “Johnny Cash on the Radio” is a fun, country sounding Francis and I feel like dancing along to this song. A song composed of a series of thought provoking questions is “Who?” I love how the intro piano melody really pulls you into “People On the Edge of the World”. Aww, “The Beautiful One”. I absolutely love this song for the lyrics, music, and vocals blend so perfectly. John Francis’ voice really shines on this track. Plus, I’m a sucker for a lovely, moving string arrangement. “It was only for a moment then we’re gone like horses over hills and setting suns. My love comes back to me dressed up in songs.” Great lyrics from “Love Came To Me Dressed In Red” and the harmonies on that song are something else. “Brother’s Keeper is a great example of Francis’ songwriting and storytelling.

All in all, I enjoyed every listening of this album and get something new out of the music with each listen. I just love that fact about great music and great albums like The Better Angels by John Francis. Remember, if we blog about an album it’s only because it comes highly recommended by us.

[LISTEN] Here’s “Johnny Cash on the Radio” from the album The Better Angels by John Francis:

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John Francis’ cd-release show for The Better Angels is at 10:30 p.m. on Friday, December 3rd,2010 at Tin Angel (Philadelphia, PA) | 21+ show | tickets: $10.

John Francis: website | Facebook | Myspace | Twitter