Seth Horan – Clang & Chime

by Shane Vahle

Digging a little below the surface will, more often than not, reveal gems that are passed over by the casual consumer. This proved to be the case for me after receiving Seth Horan’s sixth sonic venture entitled Clang & Chime. Aside from boasting technical proficiency both vocally & instrumentally, the disc is layered with subtlety (clangs & chimes every third track) and requires more than a few listens for the big picture to emerge.

Before recording began, Horan employed a unique approach and sent demo tracks to fans (69 of them) who acted collectively as the CD’s producers. Being a combination of singer/songwriter & bassist/front-man, he has a lot to say and does an exceptional job merging several disciplines. A good example of lyrical ability is shown with poignant one-liners like “The fear will kill you faster than the pain ever will” (“Stronger Still”) & “How often am I a passenger, how often do I drive?” (“One In Five”). Musically, he ties everything together with cohesive melodies and chord progressions loaded with slapping, pizzicato, tapping and nearly every other method available.

Horan labels his music as Pop but the material is broader than that. Clang & Chime is a genre-spanning tapestry that covers several styles. Check out the funk-laden first track, “Letter to the Editor” and the RUSH-esque, progressive-sounding “Cyclone” (track #11) for an idea of the record’s scope.

Clang & Chime is a diligently crafted and well-tuned piece of personal expression, throughout which Horan invites the listener to pay attention & dig a little deeper.

Standout tracks: #7. Bob Your Pretty Heads/#11. Cyclone/#14. Of Course I Remember You