Stephen Simmons epitomises the striving singer-songwriter. The perfect song will never be found but each effort is an elevated stepping stone to a fictional place of resigned contentment. The Courtney Marie Andrews lyric 'Is this the journey or the destination/Is this love or is this addiction.' often brings to mind those who pursue a lengthy career in music. The journey holds true to artists like Stephen Simmons especially when as a fan you have been in the possession of a virtual ticket for around a decade, effectively half the career span. Only the artist would testify to the balance between love and addiction when making music. A likely mixture of both goes into the pot to serve music drenched in truth and flavoured with shots of humble integrity. HUNCH is the twelfth stopping off point for a proud Tennessean never afraid of shedding home tinted blinkers and view an horizon of challenge. Across the ten tracks of this staunchly idealistic record, all the traits of an esteemed artist flower from an amenable persuasion through enchanting melodies wealthily loaded with meaningful words painting a portrait.
The album kicks off with the wonderful title track bringing the whole calling of being a musician to life. 'Hunch' is a great introduction to the work of Stephen Simmons and an effective reminder if you've slept on his music. 'Decoration Day' blossoms with implicit clarity as Simmons pulls close to heart actions steeped in a community and identity. You feel at one with the sentiment dripping out of 'Song of Us' where reflective thoughts hit hard especially in the final line 'I didn't care where it was going as long as it was away from us.'
Family features strongly in the work of Stephen Simmons, most pertinently in the title and theme of his lockdown album. When defining his music, it won't be far away and 'Grandpa's Jacket' fits the bill here alongside some decent guitar and assorted instrument parts. The album reaches the halfway mark with the delightful tones of 'Early Rising Moon' where the dial points in the direction of love, a staple of sincere songwriter music in light of its personal connection.
'Dresden Doll' is indicative of the perceptive travelling side to Stephen Simmons where a song potential exists around every corner and occasionally lights the fuse to grow into something meaningful to share on a record. You sense this pearl emerging from a comfort zone of pulling inspiration from the road. This leads into 'Amsterdam' unequivocally one of the finest songs to emerge from the pen, mind and heart of Stephen Simmons. The chorus possesses bite and power strengthening considerably in 'there ain't never been any joy in any profession that just chases a coin' and 'like a singer that ain't ever lived his song.' Pure song writing gold to well-worn ears or anyone with a miniscule of interest in how words can convey feelings within the cloak of a three-minute song. 'Tomorrow is Another Day' has the tough task of following the album standout but Stephen Simmons is seasoned enough to maintain a standard to his body of work and delicately deploys the additional vocals of others to usher the song into the world.
The mood and pace remains constant across the 39-minute running time with 'Boy Before the Man' playing its part with the reflective nature moving onto a different plane in the guise of learning and accepting that some things were probably meant to be with or without the influence of others. A lengthy outtake allows thinking time and for the song to settle. This chapter of Stephen Simmons' career closes in the capable arms of 'Someone Like You' where a tenderness drifts across the airwaves as the connection between artist and audience is sealed.
HUNCH captures the singer-songwriter spirit and steers the ripe fruits of a musician's harvest right to the table of hungry listeners. Stephen Simmons doesn't hide behind his music and its openness is core to the appeal. If the aim is to build and nurture a garland of progressive art and retain an element of calmness in a sea of chaos then the body, bones and blood of this album lay out affirmative proof of achievement. When words of appreciation flow, a state of resonation is reached.
This album is released to the world on October 24th.
