Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

Too Close, Too Far is the University of Pennsylvania freshman Dave Patten’s first album.  The most striking element of this freshman’s, freshman album is its deep, raspy, rough and unrestrained sound.  Another bit of this album that surprised me was its contemporary sound and subtle themes thereof, if anything it could possibly pass as soft rock or pop.  Patten is a jack of all trades, musically speaking, playing piano, guitar and saxophone.

The tracks I thought really rose above the rest were Fool, Summer’s Rolling Through, and Falling.  The poppy sound of Fool is very original sounding with a quick and excited rhythm, musically diverse from all other tracks, however, lyrically it is parallel.  I have fallen in love with the guitar rift introduction to Summer’s Rolling Through -- it’s a entertaining track and it feels as though Patten is really letting loose and having fun.  Even though it’s a bluesy song it’s a nice change from his more contemporary tracks.  And finally, Falling.  It has an tremendous piano intro, melodic in sound and is very unlike any other track in its sentiment.    

Unfortunately, I do feel that this album may be slightly overproduced.  The use of saxophone was a very distracting element, particularly on Can You Help Me. The sax took away from the track and hindered its ability to really be a hit.  Similarly the background vocals on Someone Else are vastly incompatible with the track and feel meaningless.  However, Patten’s vocals on this particular track really shine and capture feelings of strength and empowerment. Sadly, the Interludes -- described in one word -- are awful.  They added nothing to the album and are really just filler, although instrumentally faultless.  I just wish that his tracks showed more diversity.

Lyrically speaking, Patten has a great ability through his music to give himself to his listeners and to illustrate his strife, struggle, pain, and understanding, but his lyrics lack that luster.  Although, his tracks show depth and maturity in thought, most lyrics border on undeveloped... specifically the track Over, which seems lyrically juvenile.  Though Over does sound like it comes from a real place in Patten’s head and heart and that he is truly affected by this composition.  Maybe his pain is purely teenage angst, change, growth, or relationship difficulties; Patten just seems to have experienced a lot. 

It’s very easy to connect with his words, but much more difficult to accept him lyrically, I feel as though a true emotional connection to his tracks is not quite refined and could definitely mature from the one-dimensional to the incredible.  Patten’s strength lies in his outstanding music ability and stellar vocals.  He’s young and his music is sure to get better as he ages.  It just feels as though this album is a puzzle missing a key piece.  Dave Patten has the look, music, and vocal talent, but so far he lacks true lyrical ability.  Aside from that, I would rave about this album coming from such a youthful artist!