Andrew D. Huber

Andrew D. Huber - Days Amidst The Dust (NorthLight Records)
The third solo album from the Gecko Club frontman, Andrew D. Huber, is another hugely satisfying slab of lively Celtic folk-rock. Lyrically, he’s coming out fighting, with songs of resistance and reclamation providing no shortage of fist-in-the-air moments. When he’s at full tilt, he hits his acoustic guitar like it’s wronged him in a previous life, but for the most part he shows mercy, and let his voice and words provide the passion. He fills out the sound with various wood and string instruments, including bouzouki and mandolin.

The album opens with “Resurrection Mary”, a wonderfully evocative title for a song that refers to Chicago’s infamous hitchhiker ghost story, though Huber messes with the narrative and turns it into something different. Perhaps it’s a love song - definitely a song of longing. It’s my favourite track here, but there’s plenty more good stuff to enjoy. “Grand Marais” transports the listener to the banks of Lake Superior and the Minnesota harbour town that gives the song its name. It’s a song about the troubadour life, a form that when done well can be compelling. Here Huber nails it. On “Bottom of the Glass” he teaches his guitar a lesson it won’t forget in a while, and it’s good and rousing. “Letter from St. Paul” is no less powerful, though infinitely quieter.
www.geckoclub.com
Rob F. - Leicester Bangs

Andrew D. Huber - Days Amidst The Dust (NorthLight Records)
The third solo album from the Gecko Club frontman, Andrew D. Huber, is another hugely satisfying slab of lively Celtic folk-rock. Lyrically, he’s coming out fighting, with songs of resistance and reclamation providing no shortage of fist-in-the-air moments. When he’s at full tilt, he hits his acoustic guitar like it’s wronged him in a previous life, but for the most part he shows mercy, and let his voice and words provide the passion. He fills out the sound with various wood and string instruments, including bouzouki and mandolin.

The album opens with “Resurrection Mary”, a wonderfully evocative title for a song that refers to Chicago’s infamous hitchhiker ghost story, though Huber messes with the narrative and turns it into something different. Perhaps it’s a love song - definitely a song of longing. It’s my favourite track here, but there’s plenty more good stuff to enjoy. “Grand Marais” transports the listener to the banks of Lake Superior and the Minnesota harbour town that gives the song its name. It’s a song about the troubadour life, a form that when done well can be compelling. Here Huber nails it. On “Bottom of the Glass” he teaches his guitar a lesson it won’t forget in a while, and it’s good and rousing. “Letter from St. Paul” is no less powerful, though infinitely quieter.
www.geckoclub.com
Rob F. - Leicester Bangs

Artist: Andrew D. Huber
Album: Days Amidst The Dust
Review by Matthew Forss

Days Amidst The Dust is the third solo album from the Illinois-based Andrew D. Huber. A talented vocalist and guitarist, Andrew incorporates the bass, mandolin, bouzouki, bodhran, flute, stick, gong, keyboards, and other instruments for a well-rounded alternative pop, folk, and Celtic-inspired production. Thirteen songs represent a candid, intimate, and creative adventure of folk stylings.

“Resurrection Mary” begins with a Celtic-inspired guitar melody and Andrew’s fine story-telling vocals. The guitar and percussion is relatively light without modern, electrified additions. The folksy song contains wavering strings and the sparkling tones of the mandolin. The magical composition is a catchy tune with all the giddy offerings of Celtic music and folk elements. Though, the vocals are not accented, the music still retains a creative, Celtic spirit. “Bugle” is a solo acoustic guitar tune with Andrew’s story-telling lyrics leading the charge throughout. The plaintive song is very reflective and folk-infused. The slowly-played guitar and quieter vocals than other songs possess an intimate spirit overall.

“Bottom Of The Glass” begins with an alternative rock approach with a more acoustic guitar presence, but the vocals reflect a rock element that becomes louder after the first thirty-seconds. The drinking references are mainly reserved to the song title, but the pub-centric song contains a writhing melody that could be composed by R.E.M. In fact, Andrew’s vocals reflect a Stipe-esque presence throughout the song. “Heyda” is a short, but carefully-crafted, instrumental tune on acoustic guitar. It is a fitting song for an intro or outro on any folk guitar or Celtic album.

“Dust Of The Earth” is another R.E.M.-inspired tune with echoing sounds, poetic murmurs, folk-rock arrangements, and anthemic elements. The opening seconds contain radio static and a slowly-played acoustic guitar that accompanies Andrew’s voice. The bass and percussion kicks-in with a moderate-tempo and folk-rock elements that contain spacious sounds and keyboard noises. The song opens up for a little instrumental interplay that does not last longer than a few seconds, but the catchy melody and good vocals make this song a memorable one for the album.

“The Very True Story of Maggie McGlynn” opens with Andrew’s heartfelt vocals and the picking of a mandolin. Some percussion adds a level of rhythm with a drone of strings. The Celtic-inspired tune contains back-up vocals amidst the punchy arrangements. The story-telling ambiance is evident throughout, but the catchy elements are strong and worthy of repeating. “Buffalo Plaid (Comic Book Hero)” opens with Andrew’s youthful vocals that are joined by the bass, electric guitar, and accordion-like sounds throughout. The mix of folk and anthemic rock is nominal, but the electric guitar shines mid-way through the song in a solo display of skill. The waning vocals and whining guitar sounds produce a fine example of Celtic-folk-rock that meets old school Weezer.

“Make The Mountain Low” is an intimate, quiet, and reserved composition for solo guitar and vocal. Andrew’s plaintive guitar playing and folk vocals are reminiscent of Australia’s Xavier Rudd. At any rate, the sub-two-minute song is a fine addition to the album—no matter where it falls in the track-listing.

Andrew D. Huber’s Days Amidst The Dust is an intimate showcase of Celtic-inspired tunes, folk-rock ambiances, and remarkably catchy songs for seemingly any occasion. The ability to create simple songs with simple melodies is paramount for any album. Andrew succeeds on all accords by incorporating inventive and varying vocals, varied song structures, and several instruments to create an engaging result. Fans of R.E.M., Xavier Rudd, and all Celtic-folk music will find enjoyment in Andrew’s latest release.

Review by Matthew Forss
Rating: 5 S - Review You

Artist: Andrew D. Huber
Album: Days Amidst The Dust
Review by Matthew Forss

Days Amidst The Dust is the third solo album from the Illinois-based Andrew D. Huber. A talented vocalist and guitarist, Andrew incorporates the bass, mandolin, bouzouki, bodhran, flute, stick, gong, keyboards, and other instruments for a well-rounded alternative pop, folk, and Celtic-inspired production. Thirteen songs represent a candid, intimate, and creative adventure of folk stylings.

“Resurrection Mary” begins with a Celtic-inspired guitar melody and Andrew’s fine story-telling vocals. The guitar and percussion is relatively light without modern, electrified additions. The folksy song contains wavering strings and the sparkling tones of the mandolin. The magical composition is a catchy tune with all the giddy offerings of Celtic music and folk elements. Though, the vocals are not accented, the music still retains a creative, Celtic spirit. “Bugle” is a solo acoustic guitar tune with Andrew’s story-telling lyrics leading the charge throughout. The plaintive song is very reflective and folk-infused. The slowly-played guitar and quieter vocals than other songs possess an intimate spirit overall.

“Bottom Of The Glass” begins with an alternative rock approach with a more acoustic guitar presence, but the vocals reflect a rock element that becomes louder after the first thirty-seconds. The drinking references are mainly reserved to the song title, but the pub-centric song contains a writhing melody that could be composed by R.E.M. In fact, Andrew’s vocals reflect a Stipe-esque presence throughout the song. “Heyda” is a short, but carefully-crafted, instrumental tune on acoustic guitar. It is a fitting song for an intro or outro on any folk guitar or Celtic album.

“Dust Of The Earth” is another R.E.M.-inspired tune with echoing sounds, poetic murmurs, folk-rock arrangements, and anthemic elements. The opening seconds contain radio static and a slowly-played acoustic guitar that accompanies Andrew’s voice. The bass and percussion kicks-in with a moderate-tempo and folk-rock elements that contain spacious sounds and keyboard noises. The song opens up for a little instrumental interplay that does not last longer than a few seconds, but the catchy melody and good vocals make this song a memorable one for the album.

“The Very True Story of Maggie McGlynn” opens with Andrew’s heartfelt vocals and the picking of a mandolin. Some percussion adds a level of rhythm with a drone of strings. The Celtic-inspired tune contains back-up vocals amidst the punchy arrangements. The story-telling ambiance is evident throughout, but the catchy elements are strong and worthy of repeating. “Buffalo Plaid (Comic Book Hero)” opens with Andrew’s youthful vocals that are joined by the bass, electric guitar, and accordion-like sounds throughout. The mix of folk and anthemic rock is nominal, but the electric guitar shines mid-way through the song in a solo display of skill. The waning vocals and whining guitar sounds produce a fine example of Celtic-folk-rock that meets old school Weezer.

“Make The Mountain Low” is an intimate, quiet, and reserved composition for solo guitar and vocal. Andrew’s plaintive guitar playing and folk vocals are reminiscent of Australia’s Xavier Rudd. At any rate, the sub-two-minute song is a fine addition to the album—no matter where it falls in the track-listing.

Andrew D. Huber’s Days Amidst The Dust is an intimate showcase of Celtic-inspired tunes, folk-rock ambiances, and remarkably catchy songs for seemingly any occasion. The ability to create simple songs with simple melodies is paramount for any album. Andrew succeeds on all accords by incorporating inventive and varying vocals, varied song structures, and several instruments to create an engaging result. Fans of R.E.M., Xavier Rudd, and all Celtic-folk music will find enjoyment in Andrew’s latest release.

Review by Matthew Forss
Rating: 5 S - Review You