The Lonely Roller [LP]

by Steven A. Clark

Overview

Going by the dry and desolate appearance of The Lonely Roller, a listener previously unfamiliar with Steven A. Clark, a singer, songwriter, and producer, might expect a raw throwback hybrid of blues and soul. As indicated by underground releases, as well as a 2014 EP and a couple previews issued through Secretly Canadian, this album from the Miami-based native of Fayetteville, North Carolina is quite different from that. It's a relatively high-tech and elaborately layered production that fuses contemporary R&B and rock, played and programmed, while evading commercial trends. Clark's work beside a small team of instrumentalists and fellow producers is accessible and developed enough to appeal to a mass audience, though the condition of mainstream channels will likely prevent it from spreading beyond serious and seeking listeners. While Clark's sound and approach are clearly rooted in soul, they're devoid of nostalgia. He's equipped with a voice that can sound large with minimal exertion, and there's always weight to what he's singing, even when it scans like standard malignant breakup fare. When he dips into self-loathing and contentiousness, as he does in the trudging ballad "Trouble Baby," there's a sense of damage and desperation in his voice that lends itself to a little sympathy rather than reflexive rejection. Some of the songs, like the swirling/churning "Time Machine" and the distraught "Part Two," are grand enough to be used in eventful scenes of blockbuster films, yet they're never overblown. Most resonant of all is the opening title track, a crisp theme song for a lecherous loner bearing a heavy heart. ~ Andy Kellman

Product Details

Release Date:	09/18/2015
Label:	SECRETLY CANADIAN
UPC:	0656605030135

Tracks

1. Lonely Roller
2. Trouble Baby
3. Not You
4. Can¿¿¿t Have
5. Bounty
6. Time Machine
7. Floral Print
8. Part Two
9. She¿¿¿s in Love
10. Young, Wild, Free

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Steven A. Clark   Primary Artist
David Hartley   Bass
Albert Vargas   Bass
Victoria Blue   Vocals
Sam Hyken   Strings
Jesus Munoz   Guitar

Technical Credits

Frank Socorro   Mixing,Engineer
Miles Johnson   Design,Art Direction
John Shullman   Engineer
Steven A. Clark   Composer,Producer,Executive Producer
Chris Gehringer   Mastering
Steve Sanz   Executive Producer,Producer,Mixing
Sam Hyken   Producer
Rees Escobar   A&R
Nick Simonite   Photography
Julian Beats   Producer