The thoughtful consideration and emotional investment heard throughout Sam Green’s songwriting is an increasing rarity. Even a cursory listen to the tracks included on his Spotify page reveals a writer and musical artist whose frame of reference is wide. It encompasses American and English folk music, classic country, and blues in various guises. The songs never risk facile pastiche. Green, despite his Australian upbringing, dials into the dominant mood and spirit of this music while supplying it with a personal twist
He isn’t afraid to tackle the serious and playful alike. Tracks such “Have the Seasons Changed?”, “Your Heart is a Diamond”, and “Angel of the Morning” from 2013’s Players All Are We cover a wide emotional and musical gamut. The first track of this trio couldn’t be more different musically as Green ventures into acapella territory. It is more than mere experimentation, however, as he sounds confident throughout and has an excellent lyric to work with. The vocal melody is superb as well.
“Your Heart is a Diamond” conforms to a classic folk track template and shows his strength for crafting memorable choruses. It is as close to a classic love song as you’ll hear from Green but it’s sincere without ever sounding coy. “Angel of the Morning” has several musical strands running through the arrangement. Its twinkling piano, woodwinds, and dramatic piano lines entwine with great effect. The vocal melody moves in lockstep with the song’s evolution and Green’s voice quakes with emotion.
“Drowning in a Sea of Life” merits attention as one of Green’s best songs. The competing guitar tracks woven throughout the song captivate listeners out of the chute and the flamenco-like sound gives it flair. It’s far from the only marquee recording on The Time Has Come Again from 2017. There is a gentle revolving quality to the track “Freedom Comes Slowly” and slide guitar streaks through the arrangement like quicksilver flashes of light. His gift for concocting evocative vocal melodies hits one of many peaks here.
One of Green’s 2017 releases, the fourteen track album Love, Love, Love, has two tracks consistently ranking among his most popular. The track “Don’t Do Drugs” doesn’t pull any punches. It has a handful of moments that will make you question if he’s trying to strike a humorous note on purpose or inadvertently. The chorus doesn’t waste any motion or mince words but the multi-track vocals dilutes its impact. His sentiments fueling the title song are straight-ahead enough. Green lends added weight to “Love, Love, Love”, however, thanks to the sweeping arrangement and pleasing instrumental touch. The backing vocals are another high point of the performance.
Sam Green’s work with the Time Machine over the last seven plus years deserves consideration as among the best singer/songwriter work available. There isn’t a weak spot in his catalog, really, and he’s wise enough to present a varied musical approach. There’s no question, as well, that he will continue producing the same first class material in the future. With any luck, this review encourages you to seek his songs out.
Troy Johnstone