Origami Hearts is the debut album from Tommy Eric a musician and songwriter who has spent many years working with and producing music for other artists until now where we get so witness his talent in the spotlight. The first single and opening track ‘Like Lightning’ Tommy describes as “the paralyzing experience of loving someone who isn't right for you, especially when the feelings aren't reciprocated”, This is a proper album production with a steady bass and drum beat that rocks with a rip roaring guitar and funky bass solo with about 10 words a second ( well that is an exaggeration but not much of one) this song Rocks and sets the tone for the rest of the album.
‘You and Me’ is a beautiful love song with a solid rhythm and interweaving guitar melody, you can tell there many influences behind the music and words of these songs but Tommy manages to create his own distinctive sound, which isn’t an easy thing to do. ‘City Boy’ extols the virtues of leaving the big city and following his love to the place where the flowers grow. You have probably noticed by now that there is a theme to these songs and you would be right, released on Valentine’s Day this is an album about love and dedicated to his wife and a wonderful gift it is too and well as being a personal narrative these songs have a global message that can speak to us all.
‘Autum Sun’ is a catchy song about Tommy’s favourite time of the year which features that rare thing a whistle solo, not a penny whistle or any instrument that is a derivative of one, but a blowing wind through your lips solo, no mean feat, I tried and couldn’t get close. The opening sequence to ‘Stars Align’ has a Marc Bolan and T Rex vibe to it which reappears throughout the song and at one point all the music stops apart from drums and vocals which creates light and shade in the song. You can imagine that the idea for ‘Home’ came about driving late at night after a performance as it evokes that sense of nearing your destination as the street lights whiz pass and the stars shine brightly in the night sky.
‘Hold Me’ is a song about needing to feel safe which builds with intricate guitar playing and shows off Tommy’s vocal range as drums and bass kick in before settling into a rhythm. ‘I Got That Feeling Too’ has a swagger about it and is a fast paced rock song that really lets rip. The penultimate track on the album is ‘Signals’ about looking for a sign with a beautiful almost jazzy guitar solo. The album ends with a cover, the only one on the album of ‘Fell In Love With a Girl’ by White Stripes.
Overall this is album is an impressive debut with finally crafted songs with great musician ship and well produced. In a World full of uncertainty this album reminds us of the things and people that are important to us and make us feel safe. Highly recommended.