Kurt Gunn

Green Bay Band Reviews
Kurt Gunn EP Review

By TJ
February 12, 2010
Hailing from Northeast Wisconsin is singer songwriter Kurt Gunn, who has just released his first EP, "This and That." Normally I'm out on the town looking for music to write about, but this week I was asked to put Kurt Gunn's latest release under the microscope. So let dig into "This and That" right now.

"What I Need" This is a very groovy track with a very laid back rocking rhythm, Comprised mostly of acoustic guitar, electric guitar, organ, drums and hand drum percussion. The music hits right away into a very roots type feel, and has a little pop sound to it. The guitar solo is a warm, slightly over-driven distortion and soulful in a blues rock style. The song is based around a rhythmic progression and creative structured going from an all in and then breaking it down with Kurt's heartfelt singing and his acoustic guitar and then building right back up. It 's definitely a feel good track about love and fun.

"My Home" This is a somber track about having to leave home and everyone you love. More so, trying to deal with the lonesomeness and the memories that help you and your family get through the time away. This song is very genuine because a lot of people can identify with family members being away right now in our times. You can really sense the emotion and the isolation in the lyrics and Kurt's vocals and finger picked acoustic guitar. In Kurt's lyrics, "The silence steels away, the space where words belong" is so true in so many ways. The emotion piles on with some beautiful blues guitar work, the layers of piano, organ and the bass keeping rhythm to the soft sounds on the drums. This song has a very working class Midwestern feel.

"Before Montana" Kurt turns the fun back on with this up beat feel, starting with the drums playing a shuffle and Kurt's acoustic rhythm progressions. While this song doesn't really kick in at all, it is very laid back and completely structured around rhythm and vocals. It's one of those songs that remind you of having fun on a perfect summer's day. For Kurt, it reminds him of a time of being in love and he reflects on how great and fun it was before having to part ways. I really dig the electric guitar work on this one and beautiful clean tone and almost Caribbean type feel.

"Storms" The mood of the song "Storms" is like that numb feeling or despondent emotion that is triggered in the aftermath of a tragedy. It is slower paced and is structured around Kurt's finger picking rhythmic style. Gradually, the band builds up the sound, playing with more intensity and it is colored by some great blues feel solos and Rhodes keyboard. This is the kind of song that can get stuck in your head on a gloomy rainy day.

"Autumn Leaves" A fun fast paced rhythmic roots tune about kicking back relaxing and getting into the groove. Kurt's acoustic vocals are rhythmically paced with the electric guitar, bass, drums, and congas giving a real up beat positive vibe. This song is probably the least dynamically complex out of the four, but its simplicity is enjoyable!

My first impression upon hearing the "This and That" EP was great! The recording was crisp, the instruments were creatively panned and everything was crystal clear. I was amazed at all the talent that went into this effort and how well it was recorded. Kurt's music is fun, emotional and ground level. It is awesome when you put all these great musicians together and add to what is already some very solid folk rock songs. I also have to give it up to the very talented crew at a Rock Garden Studios in Appleton. They have been doing a great job of producing some class A recordings of many of our area's talented artists and everything I hear keeps getting better and better. The amazing talent that is on "This and That" are the following people: Acoustic Guitar: Kurt Gunn, Vocals: Kurt Gunn, Drums on: Storms, My Home - Neal Gallager, Drums on: Before Montana, Autumn Leaves, What I Need - Eric Johnson, Hand Drums: Troy Haumschiel, Keyboards: Marc Golde, Electric Guitar: Storms, My Home - Paul Hanna, What I need, Autumn Leaves - Jay Lipsky, Before Montana - Ricky Schulz. Bass: Before Montana, Autumn Leaves, What I need - Josh Lanaville, Chris Hanaway - My Home, Storms. I'm sure that maybe a little confusing but it just goes to show you the collaboration and support Kurt Gunn has for his music. You can get "This and That" on Itunes or go onto his reverbnation page for some free mp3 downloads. Be sure to catch Kurt Gunn at Montague's Feb 20th!