Hailing from England, Will Echo is the latest in the line of singer-songwriters to draw comparisons to Bob Dylan. While this textbook judgment is painfully commonplace in modern journalism (and somewhat cheapening to Dylan’s legacy), it could be that whoever first deemed the two alike wasn’t just dropping an easy name.
Indeed the likeness is uncanny at times in voice if not quite so lyrically. Opening track “Pour Me a Drink” is interesting for having a locomotive sound to the drums. This doesn’t quite prepare the listener for what’s to come. “The Horse You Gotta Ride” is strangely uplifting, and indeed Mr Echo’s vocals bear a peculiar resemblance to Dylan.
“Let’s Kiss” shows an observational quality to Mr Echo’s songwriting that, though seemingly simple, is lacking in many a modern troubadour. The subtle wit of “I Still Love You, But” stresses that songwriting, not musical dexterity, is what drives the artist onward.
With most songs directed at the other sex, there’s little questioning just where Mr Echo gets his inspiration. Normally, a subconscious assertion of self-restraint will invoke a quota on how many love songs can appear on one album, but that’s clearly not the case here. Thankfully, no two songs address the same scenario and the pitfall of being labelled a sap is carefully avoided.
While comparisons to Dylan, overall, are a good few inches from the bullseye, “Fragile” is an impressive debut from a singer-songwriter who appears to be going places. Seek and ye shall find. Now, was Dylan one of the Apostles?
Available from CD Baby.