Kenny Eng

Kenny Eng's new CD Self Centered is a collection of six songs, arranged mainly around his vocals and acoustic guitar. He has a pleasant voice that is more than up to the task of carrying the melody. He takes an effortless approach to singing, never obscuring the words with overly showy technique. Additional instruments are added for nuance and effect, largely leaving the rhythmic duties to the guitar. Occasional synthesizer washes, light percussion, and subtle cello lines add subliminal texture to the album's uncluttered arrangements. It's all recorded and mixed very nicely, giving emphasis to the most important tracks. Effects are wisely kept to a minimum, preserving the natural sound of the performances. There is a lot of space in the music, allowing it to breathe.

The songs themselves fit squarely into the singer-songwriter category with lyrics that are personal and introspective. Eng makes some interesting choices when it comes to chords and melodies, and it is perhaps these that make the songs distinctive. There is a pleasing flow to the music, even though the songwriting avoids being predictable. The overall sound of the CD is quiet and reflective. One can easily imagine these tunes being performed on the coffeehouse circuit with just the singer and his guitar. The first cut, "Who Says," sounds a bit like an undiscovered song that America might have recorded in their heyday. In fact, the same could probably be said about a number of the songs. I'd be willing to bet that they, along with other classic acoustic acts like James Taylor and Cat Stevens, are influences.

For the most part, the music tends toward a mid-tempo pace, lending the project an easygoing feel, even when the lyrics get a little dark. He can be self-deprecating without being self-pitying. For the most part, one gets the impression that Eng is an observer and commentator on life, searching for meaning where he can find it. One notable song is the brightly wistful "If I See You Again," whose jazz chords and sunny melody bump along at a more sprightly pace. Eng is a solid guitarist who navigates his intricate chord progressions with confidence and fluidity.

While I completely understand where Eng is coming from on an artistic level, I did find myself craving a bit more variety in the arrangements. He and his collaborator Aaron Bowen play directly to the strengths of the music, but in my opinion they might have taken fuller advantage of the studio environment. Light percussion and possibly some bass could have lent an entirely new feel to a couple of the songs. An occasional harmony vocal or instrumental solo could have brought extra dimension to the music. The extra production touches that do exist on the album are good, and I felt they could have gone a little further with them without detracting from the vocal and guitar. However this is only a minor quibble. The choices they made work quite well. This is an easily likeable collection of songs, delivered with earnestness and emotion. - San Diego Troubadour

Local singer-songwriter Kenny Eng's debut is a bit of an oddity in the current singer-songwriter environment: He actually plays on record with roughly the same setup as he does in his shows at county coffee houses: Guitar. Voice. The only additional instruments he dragged into the studio are a cello on two tracks to add some low-end depth, and producer Aaron Bowen's own acoustic guitar. Otherwise, this six-song EP is how you'd hear Eng when he's playing live.

With more and more singer-songwriters dressing their recordings up with all kinds of gear they never bring to a show, it's refreshing experience to hear a CD that reflects the artist's live show.

It's a solid performance here, too: Eng has an expressive voice, and his half-dozen songs all have a pleasant vibe to them. It's a mellow sort of folk-rock, but with definite elements of alternative. Eng clearly values melody, and has a good knack at turning them out. - North County Times