NYC art rocker Jason Vitelli dresses his musical compositions with an ardent amount of theater, dramatic live performances, and compelling storytelling.
On his third full-length release, entitled, Head Above Tide, Vitelli harnesses a variety of musical forms, ranging from the experimental to a blend of jazzy art rock, pop, and alternative rock.
The album opens up with “Hit And Run” that starts off with a harmonic piano melody that sounds off towards the beginning of the track. The dramatic piano tune aptly accompanies Vitelli’s rich baritone as a simmering of percussions gives the song an overall enthused vibe. The piano music and drums along with Vitelli’s vocals really give the track a theatrical appeal. With a great artsy rock vibe, the passionate vocals along with the trickling in of piano keys pave the song until the very end.
“Fault Lines” has some great pop sensibilities. Vitelli’s vocals, here, are executed at first in a hushed manner with the chorus really bringing the song to life. The combined vocal harmonies really work well together and vie for your attention. The spirited track with its catchy tune has uplifting and energetic qualities. With a slight doo-wop feel to the groove, the song invigorates with a retro ‘50s era twist. Sounds of the cello trace this track, creating a light-hearted feel to the song.
On “The Persecuted”, the combined sounds of the guitar creates a wall of cadences towards the beginning of the track. The song has some soaring, psychedelic guitar riffs accompanied by the heavy rhythms coming from the bassline. The groovy sounds coming from the guitar is filled with a smattering of drums and bass.
“Descension” is jumpstarted by the melodious cadences of the piano trickling in. Sounds of the congas keep up the pace in rhythms. The pleasant melody is intricately performed yet harmoniously delicate.
“Labyrinthine” has a busy sound coming from the cadences of the violin tracing the passionate track filled with invigorating traits. The highly energetic track gives a fiery pulse to this spirited song paved with lush strings in the background as Vitelli sings with utmost gusto.
“Living Proof” begins with the ethereal sounds coming from the piano as traces of the violin also weaves in with a dramatic quality throughout this song.
“D-Day” is jumpstarted with some melodic strumming from the guitar. As the harmonious tune coalesces throughout this track, a dramatic sound comes from the combined vocal harmonies. The vocals on this song are sung with theatrical duress, and what aspires is a sense of urgency on this song.
“Welcome To My Life, Healing” has a doo-wop feel to the music with the overall style harkening to a retro ‘50s era cadence. The sound is overall arresting with a bright, sunny vibe to the uplifting lyrics. This feel-good track has a soaring feel, filled with the cadences of keys, drums, guitars, and congas. The energetic feel on the congas gives off a great tropical vibe and a savory island flavor.
The second interlude to the album, entitled, “Ascension,” is filled with a beatific and delicate, intricately woven piano melody on this piano-based track.
On the song, “Trees,” the track starts off with a smattering of drums, percussions, guitars, and bass, creating a really cool and smooth sound. The soothing cadence continues as radio-active guitars sound off towards the beginning and mid-way into the song.
“Pinwheel” starts off with an energetic piano tune that jumpstarts the track. There is also an amped feel to Vitelli’s vocals as well as enthusiastic singing coming from the chorus. The dancing melody coming from the piano and the sounds of the drums and percussions accompanying the piano will really speak to listeners with its up keyed vibe.
“Autumn Hymn” is filled with some great rhythms coming from the acoustic guitar with the musician artistically strumming and numerating over the instrument. Traces of the saxophone weaves throughout the song, harnessing a heartfelt acoustic vibe.
On “Propagate,” Vitelli’s vocals are sung with a hushed sensibility. Sounds of the electric guitar alone accompanies his vocals along with the cadences of the drums and percussions. With a great alt-rock vibe, the sounds of the cello dramatically weave in and out of this track.
“Vacant” follows through with a beatific piano melody paving the beginning of this song. A jazzy and groovy cadence fills this track with an invigorating bebop vibe. The drums add support on this piano-laden track as a harmonious piano melody courses through this song.
“Three Marionettes” provides for a bright and sunny sound filled with psychedelic electric guitar riffs that overall radiates with an electric cadence. Vitelli really belts out the lyrics on this track with his baritone voice.
“A Mutiny” is a piano-based track encased nearly entirely by the sounds of the piano. The piano is accompanied by the dynamic strumming coming from the acoustic guitar along with Vitelli’s vocals. This moving and emotional song really carries with the lithe playing from the piano and with Vitelli’s heartwarming and soulful vocals.
Jason Vitelli’s form of artsy/chamber rock, stemming from views inspired by the news, will really stick with you.
Smart and timely, Vitelli throws us in the throes of adversity and we come out of it better enlightened, informed, and impassioned.
Vitelli narrates in his rich baritone, addressing the drastic circumstances in “Three Marionettes” where child refugees in second Sudanese Civil War face hardships and oppression and in “The Persecuted” as he references the recent current events where the New York Supreme Court validated marriage equality.
Alive and unadulterated to what’s currently being circulated on the news, Head Above Tide is a free-spirited diatribe that discusses the latest political standpoint with pressing and unconditioned honesty.
This compilation of songs does way better than just barely keeping afloat. As we assess the situation in Head Above Tide, we begin to see a viable craftsmanship on each and every one of these songs. Vitelli’s passionate delivery is his marked stamp, and we see more of this artist’s signature art rock sound with each passing track on this album.
Vitelli’s latest offering dips into the compelling and immediate issues of today, as his piano-led compositions trail-blaze with their top-notch and engrossing vibe.
Be sure you have a listen today!