"I Could Use a Drink" - Review

Despite having purchased "I Could Use a Drink: The Songs of Drew Gasparini" last April when it was first released, I neglected to listen to it in its entirety until just last month...a mistake I wholeheartedly regret.

The record is one of the most promising new musical theatre albums of the last six years. Unlike a great deal of his peers, Gasparini has seemed to hone his thumbprint as a composer. He has found a successful recipe for blending popular music with contemporary musical theatre. The songs are dynamic, well written and truly eclectic, encompassing everything from pop, rock-and-roll, even R&B. And I don't mean that nebulously. Each one of his songs possesses a clearly defined sound and celebrates that sound triumphantly. One or two in particular belong on the radio.

Take for example Track No. 4: "If I Had You". If the first ten seconds of utter funk don't grab you right away, the song's unique singer, Chloe Gasparini, will. To put it simply, her voice is nuts. Never mind that she's the composer's younger sister, she totally owns the material she's been given. Her light, raspy tone is like a cross between Janis Joplin and Ingrid Michaelson: a combination that will serve her exceedingly well should she record a record of her own. 

But Chloe isn't the only one of Drew's siblings featured on the album. Kasie Gasparini can be found on Track No. 6: "Two Little Lines". On the surface, the song may seem like a typical teeny-bopper "woe is me" anthem...but it's so much more than that. Perhaps it's the glorious chord progressions in the chorus? Or maybe the clever lyrics? Either way, it's no surprise the piece won the coveted NYMF Best of the Fest award in 2011. 

One of Gasparini's most provocative numbers is the haunting trio, "Valley High", (feat. Blake Daniel, Gabriel Violett & Tim Ehrlich). Given the number of school shootings in the past decade, this song will definitely touch a nerve with anyone who listens. I'm sure many conservative audience members would even champion its restriction. But for me, personally, the song is a stroke of profound artistry. It doesn't glorify violence or excuse the act of murder, but rather, gives those troubled boys a voice, a heart and a story. And beyond the gorgeous hook, there is an eery calmness and simplicity to the graphic content, a paradox that chilled my spine to its very core on a first listen. 

A shout-out must also be given to Track No. 10: "I Loved You Too Much" (feat. Mykal Kilgore). This song is the very heart and soul of the album. Beyond the smooth R&B tones, given exquisitely by Mr. Kilgore, the song possesses a painful humanity that is seldom seen in contemporary musical theatre. This is the "Still Hurting" of the 2010's.

Other gems include the songs "Michigan" (feat. Eric Michael Crop and Kacie Sheik), "A Little Bit" (feat. a hysterical Alex Brightman), "You Can't Bring Me Down" (feat. Nick Blaemire and Rachel Potter), "Dear Lucy" (feat. F. Michael Haynie) as well as "Good Stuff" (feat. Justin Guarini).

The only disappointment on "I Could Use a Drink" is actually track No. 15: "Circus" (feat. Lindsay Mendez), the song I was most anxious to hear recorded.

Structurally, the song is incredible. The story is there, the melody is consuming on all accounts and Lindsay Mendez performs the hell out of it live. But here, Mr. Gasparini's concept of having a full blown carnival in the background proved immensely tempestuous for my liking. While an interesting idea, it's almost more effective if we DON'T hear what's going on in her head; we watch the craziness unfold without explanation. Likewise, Miss Mendez sounds overly tinny and cartoon-like, neither of which compliment the drama of the text. What's more, some of her best vocal licks from the live performance are missing, a mishap that confuses me still. If you'd like to watch the genius of that original performance, recorded four months before the album, click below.

All the same, "I Could Use a Drink: The Songs of Drew Gasparini" is, in its entirety, fantastic. It is one of the first compilation albums that has me interested in knowing more about the shows and stories to which each song belongs. I wish Mr. Gasparini the best of luck with his work and anticipate his productions with the utmost excitement.

Until next time,

Jordan.