You really have to give Edwin credit for releasing a solo effort. I mean, when he decided to bow out of I Mother Earth, they were at the pinnacle of their career in Canada and had two solid albums to back them up. He has surprised everyone. The vocal talents of Edwin were key in the success of I Mother Earth, but on Another Spin Around The Sun, Edwin is the star.
Edwin has always been known as a creative songwriter with an amazing harmonic voice deserving notice. Around Spin Around The Sun is textured with buzz lyrics, the usual strength in Edwin’s singing style, and outstanding musicianship by those who filled in to make the freshmen debut a success. The record’s music ranges from straight up rock to slow and graceful to electronic experimentation. With the first track, “Theories”, a different side of Edwin is exposed, one that many may not have seen in the past. This is definitely one of the many winners that you’ll find on the record. The song is supported on the good technical bass line that repeats along with a beautiful synthesizer sound. Edwin helps out with his lyrics, talking about smoking pot and theorizing on our complex world. “You take the time to enjoy the green/ Get the red in your eye/ Watch the world go by/ You lay back and start to dream about/ What could never be, maybe it’s just me.”
The musicians that helped Edwin along on Another Spin Around The Sun deserve high praise and hopefully an award for their efforts to the record. “And You” could possibly be a big hit if ever released as a single for radio. The guitars are reminiscent of the great tragic rock group Stone Temple Pilots. “Shotgun” is along the same rock groove but has more of an 80’s rock vibe to the track. No, it’s not some shitty 80’s hair band, but heavy along the lines of Motley Crue with an electronic edge. A track that displays the lost art of notable rock lyrics with sound music to back it up is “Hang Ten”. Here, Edwin takes some of the popular phrases of the 60’s (“Peace/ Love/ Hang Ten”) from the culture of California to give life to a damn catchy song.
The record comes to a pleasant layover with the symphonic “Alive.” I believe listening to this track will unquestionably give anyone an idea of the true vocal talents that Edwin is dangerously capable of. His voice in “Alive” is matched up with a string arrangement and a choir of high-pitched ladies, something Edwin has needed do to. But on any track you can hear his mighty skills.
Surely the most popular songs with people who buy the record or hear them on the radio will be “Trippin” and “Rush”. Both songs offer just what radio needs, a male soloist who can produce hits that people can dance to or sit back and enjoy. The first single, “Trippin”, is pretty heavy when you compare it to the rest of the album, but I don’t think the song would work any other way.
If you’re looking for something new and fresh, Edwin’s debut will lift you. Bad news for those in the States, the record does not come out until the year 2000 on Columbia Records. Log onto www.edwinonline.com to learn more about the next solo superstar.
+larry sarzyniak
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