Album Of The Week: Chadwick Stokes’ The Horse Comanche

He’s an integral part of Boston-based acts Dispatch and State Radio, but Chadwick Stokes has also built a reputable solo career. Straying from the jam rock of Dispatch and the reggae-infused punk of State Radio, Stokes’ solo material revolves around folk music that sounds like something you’d listen to while sitting around a campfire with a few close friends. His new album, The Horse Comanche, is a continuation of Stokes’ solo style in the most excellent form. With a few added dimensions, Stokes’ take on folk is broadened and expanded with each track.

Produced by Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam, the quality of sound in The Horse Comanche is impeccable. Stokes doesn’t limit himself to just one type of music; there’s a great variety of styles exhibited and you get an introduction to Stokes’ versatility when it comes to writing a song and strumming his guitar. Some tracks have an infectious groove while others have a lot of heart and passion, making The Horse Comanche pleasurable in all sorts of ways. There’s a certain catchiness with a few songs as well, but not in an annoying way where you’re praying to the heavens to get those meaningless lyrics out of your head.

Don’t let all of this New England snow get you down. Take the opportunity to nestle in your favorite blanket and snuggle with my top tracks off of the Album Of The Week. It might not warm you up, but your music taste will benefit.

As a lover of deep tracks in an album I don’t usually gravitate to the lead single, but “Our Lives Our Time” has definitely left a positive impression on me. A simple strum and intelligent lyrics about the issues facing the world today give this track a feverish quality that you can’t help but enjoy. A song for all you lovers out there, the chorus of “I Want You Like A Seatbelt” will make your heart jump for joy once you give it a listen. Featuring the assistance of Brooklyn indie-pop act Lucius, “New Haven” is a great ballad that has a lot of feeling and sincerity that you don’t get with a lot of ballads these days.

Chadwick Stokes will stop by The Met on Feb 24 for what should be an amazing night that any New England music fan shouldn’t miss. While you’re at the show, grab a copy of The Horse Comanche. It’s a beautiful album with a lot of heart and soul, and it shouldn’t be overlooked.

chadwickstokes.com