We’ll begin our review of “Where Do I Begin” (note the lack of question mark as if its obvious) with the very last line on the record: “I wasn’t ready for love to be true,” sings (perhaps murmurs would be a better word?) Adam Reichmann. “Alicia, whatever happened to you?” Those words offer insight into the mindset of “…Begin”. Reflective and regretful, this is the sort of record you write at 2 am when you are scrolling through your phone book looking for anyone who might be awake. Like the rest of the EP that preceded it, the song is darkly beautiful and beguiling in its confusion.
We shouldn’t have expected anything less. Back in the early 2000s, when I was on a serious Ryan Adams kick, I found a band called Nadine. Both of the men in One Adam One, Reichmann and his musical partner Todd Schnitzer, were in the band. They were making this type of classy, slow burner then.
Each song on “Where Do I Begin” is distinctive and well-crafted. “Where Do I Begin” itself conveys a sense of desolation, with lyrics reminiscent of Elliot Smith. There’s poetry here, as shown by the “forgotten home in the foothills of nowhere” imagery. “Living In The World” is a pulsing track that acknowledges the messed-up state of the world we’re living in more brutally. “Hollywood Ending” wryly observes that nobody actually likes Hollywood endings. Or maybe they do? They just pretend they don’t here, as if preparing for the worst so they aren’t disappointed.
“Cold Murmur” is an acoustic track that builds gradually and effortlessly, showcasing Reichmann’s impressive range. The War on Drugs comparisons are apt. Indeed, it could be argued that TWOG is much more famous on the basis of far less.
But it’s “Platte River” that gets you the most, with haunting harmonies and a juxtaposition of classic rock with music that us anything but. The lyrics, which reference “manic depression” and the aforementioned “Sweet Alicia,” suggest that the EP has deeply personal roots. The lead guitar break is another surprise, demonstrating that One Adam One has a lot more to offer, perhaps?
That’s for another day. This EP, all 18 minutes and five songs of it, exists in the shadows, occasionally popping out into the light to have a look around. What it surveys is the human condition, and who knows where to start with that.
Rating: 8/10.
