Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

Poet John Amen has just released his second country-folk album, Ridiculous Empire, which includes ten tracks and fifty-three minutes of smooth, alternative country lyrics and music. Although he was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, his sound is similar to a mix of country and New Orleans jazz.

On the first track, Harbingers and Alcohol, Amen slurs the lyrics to the chorus, clinks glasses, and plays pianos and guitars to create the sound of an old-time, western saloon, which can now only be found in the movies. Madagascar, the third track, is a heart-wrenching tune about how Amen would like to go back to Madagascar. I cannot help but wonder if the collection of the photos on the album art contains pictures from his last trip there…or if they are supposed to make a comment about our society.

There is a photo of a gun, of a face, of an obese person, a television, piano keys, a skinny woman, and a sign that says, “Jesus Saves” – among other things. Amen makes a comment about our society in comparison to other societies through his album art and through his music. He sings with a deep and uplifting voice despite his somewhat depressing lyrics about alcohol and a need for change. His lyrics, however, are powerful and add to the flow of his album. It is no wonder that he was a poet before he was a musician, because it is his lyrics that are the key to this album. His words make the album and without them, this album would just be another to place on the shelf…but because he preaches for change and puts it to music, it is one that will be listened to repeatedly until that change finally comes.