Jeremy Poland & Lantz Dale - Timeless
Soul
After nearly 150 live performances in
2016, Timeless Soul’s seven songs prove that Jeremy Poland and Lantz Dale have
their act honed to a sharp edge. The songs on their debut release as a duo are
well crafted, sincere from start to finish, and glow with easy-going musical
excellence more complex to pull off than it ever sounds. The thing that makes
this work so well, even in the confines of a recording studio, is musical and
songwriting chemistry. Poland and Dale are tuned into the same sonic wavelength
from the outset and their vision for how this collection should turn out
remains remarkably consistent throughout the entirety of Timeless Soul. It’s
this steadiness of intent and the ability to manifest it with rich, rewarding
material that makes Timeless Soul stand apart from similar efforts in today’s
scene. It’s hard to pin down, as well – there’s elements of Americana, rock,
and pop running through it in equal measure and no one style ever really gains
the upper hand for long.
The first track has a strong pop
oriented sweep. “All Yours Now” has personality as well, particularly when the
chorus hits, and the longing communicated by the lyrics and singing feels quite
playful as well as quite real. The acoustic instruments are recorded in a very
intimate way, like they closely miked, and the singing has the same intimate
vibe. “In the Light” has a more deliberative air, only changing up the musical
direction deep into the second half of the song, but that change is handled
quite artfully and puts this performance over the top for me. Poland and Dale
successfully shift gears with the song “All Over Again” moving from the pop
rock and folky workouts of the album’s opener into a much more musically
challenging track that they handled with considerable aplomb. It’s near reggae
like feel makes it stand out on Timeless Soul and shows their versatility as
well.
“I’m a Wreck”, however, stands apart.
It’s the most clearly conceived song on Timeless Soul in that it makes the best
use of dynamics and doesn’t seem to have a single wasted word or note. The
intimacy is greater here than ever before thanks to the added fragility Poland
and Dale bring to this standalone performance. “Where Did It Go?” will remind a
lot of listeners of the opener and it’s clear they are created from the same
school of thought, but there’s less of a contrast between the verses and
choruses on this later song. The final track on Timeless Soul is the title
number and it affords both Poland and Dale to stretch out a bit in the effort
to leave behind a lasting statement. Very little of Poland’s avowed R&B and
pop influences come through here and the song sounds much more like a product
of the singer/songwriter school than any sort of pop confection. It ends the
release on an appropriately beautiful note.
9 out of 10 stars
Scott Wigley
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