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God Plays Dice
Marty Baggen
Prior to listening to Marty Baggen’s self-produced debut God Plays Dice, the only other Alaskan artist I’ve heard (or heard of, for that matter) was folk-rocker turned popstar Jewel. Now, there are many differences between Jewel and Marty. But, their similarities are more important: they both write great songs. Maybe growing up in the Alaska cold breeds artistic minds? Baggen’s sound is easy-listening, light, adult-contemporary folk-rock. There are some slight pop, folk and classic rock elements blended in as well. Interestingly enough, some songs conjure hints of British prog-rockers The Moody Blues, The Doors and others have the heartland rock appeal of Bob Seger (especially track No. 16, “I Am You” sounds like a sampling of “Against the Wind”). Sometimes I catch vocal hintings of R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe! Any way you put it – Marty Baggen has an original, catchy, eclectic sound. One of my favorite songs is the second track, a more upbeat sounding “Big World.” Overall, Baggen’s music is passionate, probably due to his starting his music career later in life. His writing reflects maturity, history, wisdom, faith and love. This adult songwriting may have come from growing up in Alaska: “When you’re hundreds of miles from the real world, sometimes you have to paint your own,” Baggen says. Baggen has since left isolation and moved to civilization in Western Oregon, where he performs regularly with the quartet The Marty Baggen Project.
Kristi Singer
2005-06-08 - Review You
Discography
"God Plays Dice"
"Born Fearless"
All tracks can be previewed at www.martybaggen.com
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Alaskan-born singer-songwriter Marty Baggen knows isolation. "When you're hundreds of miles from the real world, sometimes you have to paint your own", Baggen has said.
His musical career starts later in life than someone hoping to join a boy-band. The writing reflects a maturity, a sense of history, and irreverence to conventional wisdom, faith, and sometimes even love.
His self-produced first CD, "God Plays Dice" melds a writing style with a tight, retrohard-edged band. “Born Fearless”, his second release takes that same style, and textures it with a dense, guitar-driven backdrop.
Baggen performs in clubs near his current home in Western Oregon, fronting his quartet, “The Marty Baggen Project”.
When asked if he missed living in Alaska, Baggen said, "no".
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