But the thing I like about Osenga, a constant in his work, is that he just knows good music. Writing it comes naturally to him, and recording it isn't much harder. At least that's what I gather from listening. His songs fall into what session musicians call the pocket. It just makes sense. You as the listener know where it's going next, not because it's predictable but because it's what feels right. Osenga writes from the heart and relies on his ear to tell him how to put it all together. His instrumentation is precise and clean, but not plastic. The guy has class. His lyrics fall out in simple, beautiful poetry that speaks to and challenges the heart. And he gives us just the right instrumentation to compliment the song and tell the best story, without overwhelming us or leaving empty space. In short, he's a true artist who knows his craft, making his albums more than just music - but a listening experience.
Now, as for this album specifically. The past few years, Osenga has been releasing free EPs and demos and touring with the Square Peg Alliance (Andrew Peterson, Ben Shive, Andy Gullahorn, Jill Philips, etc). It has been a while since we've seen a full-blown studio solo album from the man, and we were all ready. And "Leonard, the Lonely Astronaut" does not disappoint. It is an album that commands your attention from the first song and onward. "What is he talking about?" you have to ask as the opening song "Brushstroke" talks quietly about leaving friends behind in the wake of greatness. Just as you get comfortable, track #2 "Only Man In The World" kicks in with driving guitars and heavy drums reminiscent of my high school punk rock days. And so the dynamics are set and we're on our way. But it's not a Superchic[k] or Relient K album where you have one pop song, one soft, one pop, one soft, rinse and repeat for the next 5 albums. "Leonard" swells with your emotions as you move through songs that have highs and lows within themselves. It is a challenging album, dealing mostly with relationships as the character (Leonard) reflects profoundly upon his life back on Earth. At the same time, I come away from this album feeling good. I think it is a feeling of completeness, because the album wraps itself together so neatly and leaves me satisfied, both musically and conceptually.
Well done, Andrew. Keep up the good work.
Feel free to check out "Leonard, the Lonely Astronaut"
and his companion EP "SOLAR WIND" at Rabbit Room HERE
and his companion EP "SOLAR WIND" at Rabbit Room HERE