Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

Jesse Rubenfeld's voice is a bit amateurish but his words hold wisdom that sets him apart from most other singers his age. He is a very skilled songwriter. His piano provides a simple backing melody that sometimes gets lost behind his dynamic words.

Nose to the Grindstone is about Rubinfeld's dedication, and we can tell where he puts his heart in all of this. He has given himself up to the process of creating music and telling his story, and I find that liberating. In his words he has offered up his  struggles to help others and more emotional cleansing. He fights for what he believes in, like a line in the song: “The dark and the cold are digging through me.”

The piano and violin are really quite lovely in Elinor, providing the perfect touch to a beautiful love song about promise and future. His voice finds some footing in this song. Yet again his lyrical delivery is spot-on: “In your eyes I see the fairy tales I never read.” Elinor is my favorite of the four songs on Let it Go. 

Rubenfeld pours his heart out in every word, in every song.  His charming romantic side just shines through, as though he can't help showing it off to his listeners.  The sincerity comes naturally and comfortably -- certainly not forced.  You buy every word because his delivery is flawless.

I know carries the same tones of understanding based on a woman's love and support.  Rubenfeld sings of honest relationships in this day and age where those are few and far between.  He seems to be able to read people and is willing to fight for those he cares about. He is an honorable gentleman and patient with his girl: “I know that goodbye brings you closer to breaking.”

The title track is based on a simple piano riff.  I really enjoyed the chorus -- it got stck in my head, playing over and over long after the song was done.  While there is still plenty of room for development vocally, there is a power there -- it shows potential for the sound to catch up with the spirit of the words.

I am expecting great things from Jesse Rubenfeld. At this point I think he would be more successful as a song writer, but he has shown considerable talent in a solo musician. His words are full of depth and understanding. He is very relatable, and very current.  With some vocal work, he could really go places.