Michael Trieb

(Review by Devin Moroney)

Michael Trieb is not one of those arrogant singer/songwriter's who is trying to convince his audience that its a privilege to be hearing his music. Instead, it is plain to see that he is thrilled to be playing music for anyone. In my conversations with Michael during the process of writing, recording, and releasing "Again and Again," I could tell just how excited he was at each stage. And although, he describes recording the album in his "bedroom, in the deep, deep watches of the night," his beaming glow shines throughout the album.



The album starts with the song "Giant," which features effected drums comparable to a mellow version of something found on Sufjan Steven's latest album, "Age of Adz." It is a fitting opening track as Michael's vulnerabilities , "I'm so weak, and I'm so small," stare the rest of the the ambitious full length in the face. The next two tracks reveal a battle between Michael and the night . Throughout "Fall Asleep Again," he keeps reminding himself he doesn't want to "fall asleep." The sigh at the end suggests the exhaustion he feels as a result of staying awake. Then in "Again and Again," he explains that there is some merit in staying awake .. saying, "if only someone tried, staying up all night," never really resolving the thought.



The next four tracks take on a more serious tone. "Pilgrim's Progress" is inspired and titled after christian, 17th century author, John Bunyan's novel, while "It's Not Over," also suggests religious themes saying, "it's not over if you are who say you are." The next two tracks are "Acid Rain," which contains a bit more abstract lyrics, followed by instrumental, "Perry Avenue Basement."

"Leave Everything," provides a breath of fresh air with its dream pop sound and group vocals calling for a simpler life. The intricately arranged "I Will Follow You," interrupts that feel briefly with piano, strings, percussion, and a big vocal sound rounding it out, but ukulele driven, "Dead Seed," picks up where "Leave Everything," left off.



"Ghosts," really does feel like winter, with its cold lyrics and melancholy picked guitar, and ends in true Paper Route fashion with sleigh bells and an "oh" melody over strings and additional percussion. "The Giving Tree," is inspired by Shel Siverstein's children's book, and as the album comes to a close, Trieb pleads, "please just don't forget about me."



The album as a whole feels like one body of work. Noises reappear on several tracks in a way thats not annoying or too repetitve, but as a reminder that "Again and Again" is an intentional cohesive piece, and one to beat for young, Michael Trieb's, debut release. - The Papyrus

Michael Trieb – Christmas EP (2009)

This was the most surprising find for me. I didn’t expect much from this one because I read Michael’s description (recording in a bathroom using a Rock Band mic) before I pressed play. This has a Sufjan Stevens/David Bazan kind of feel to it. It’s folk. It’s electronic. It’s simple. But it is wonderful. 3 of the 4 songs are originals. I was hooked at the opening lines of the 2nd song “Getting Old.”

“The seasons changed but you stayed the same / Grinch by day. Ebenezer Scrooge by night…If we’re waking up with bags in our eyes but no bags under the trees / then maybe we should all go back to sleep…”

(from “Getting Old”)

You can hear the praise come out of his voice. I’m drawn to the imperfect singers of the world. There’s a sense of passion you can feel when Michael sings and sometimes strains his voice. There’s no overproduction here. The best song is “When You Were Born.” This is an honest song, that speaks of the the birth of Christ & what it means to him.

“You came as a baby just like me / and the winds still sing the same song that it sung on the night You came to be / that night You came You took my place when you were born / when You were born You saw my face / You knew my name when You were born

(from “When You Were Born”)

I’m anxious to check out the rest of his works and see how he matures over the years. - Robby Stewart