Early Thoughts: Grant Lyle

I haven't always been a guitar-focused individual. Most of the music I really get into is mostly percussion driven. Some friends of mine have even said I've got a little bit of drummer in me. Canadian singer/songwriter and guitarist Grant Lyle's newest album So There is a primarily guitar-focused record, and while it's not bad, it leaves quite a bit to be desired. Check out after the jump for some early thoughts.

Part of what turns me off about So There is that I wish Lyle would stick to playing his instrument than try and be the whole package. Songs like "Let It Out" and "I Will Wait" fall flat when it comes to the vocals and especially the lyrical content. There's not much here that sticks with you, and it's easy to pass over the few tracks that the album starts off with. "It's Killing Me" features some good soulful moments, almost saving you from the Eric Clapton style feel on the rest of the record. Clapton is a master, and Lyle just isn't there yet. His tone is solid, particularly on the aforementioned track, but elsewhere it just fails to create a memorable moment.

Lyle seems to shine the most on his blues-centric tunes, and for good reason. "Trouble Blues" features some simplistic John Mayer channeling, but Lyle gives it his own feel. "Walk On" is another staple from So There, with a certain Bruce Springsteen vibe. Much of the rest of the album feels like filler compared to the stand out tracks, another of which is "Lost in Temptation", with its jazzy percussion pieces and groovy bass line. Seek out the goodness on this record and you'll be glad you skipped over the more pop-like tunes.

For more information on Grant Lyle, check out his sites listed below, and listen to So There on his Bandcamp page.
http://grantlyle.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grant-Lyle/193260200786986