Review - Life Happens Here (Remixed / Remastered) 09/23/2021
Walking Tall
LIFE HAPPENS HERE CD - Review
Life Happens Here (Remixed / Remastered) - 08-20-2021 RELEASE
Walking Tall: “Life Happens Here Remixed / Remastered” – A Review:
“Life can be so complicated.” Well, so can Reviewing…Welcome to it.
The 2021 release of the “Life Happens Here - Remixed / Remastered” album is a refreshing improvement over the previous 2019 set. The album opens up the songs, separates the instruments and effectively allows the whole thing to breathe. Notably, the album really pays attention to the backing vocals, highlighting and meshing them really well throughout. I was a fan of the songs and songwriting before, but this is an unexpectedly broad jump for the better. “Got me some bragging rights”, for sure.
Additionally, the album now closes out with two new bonus tracks, “It’s All About Love” and “Every Day”, one each from Brett and James respectively. Both sonaaags are strong, being either equal to or better than the other tracks on the record. Point being, these aren't just throwaways added for a repurchase but are welcome additions that show a marked improvement in production and are just as much a reason to expect good things from this pair of artists going forward.
Below you will find an updated and edited version of the original album’s review.; see italics. With the updates and additions made here, omits were warranted and rewriting the whole thing felt a lot like rehashing the original but with a limited scope, so I kept most of the details from that original review because the words were as good as the music they’re talking about.
“Life Happens Here”, the new remixed and remastered version, from the Sacramento, California based band Walking Tall is, to me, an album of proven potential. Beginning with great songwriting, followed by competent and smart musicianship, through an elevated production, and into a remarkable remix and remaster, the listener sees every one of these songs get better as they progress, so that by the end of each one, you, in your sing-along state, see just how good this album is.
A sentimental and immediate album, “Life Happens Here” opens with no music or fanfare just the lyric, “This is my life”, and I think the stage is set. What follows is an examination, or perhaps a confirmation, that uncovers the fact that Life, Love, and even Heartache happen Now, Right Here, and what a Glory each one is to Experience.
And what’s really wonderful about the record is that this message is delivered on the backs of great songs. With perfectly catchy melodies that even after only three listens (I am reviewing the record after all), I find myself randomly singing out loud throughout my day. That says a lot to me about the time, effort, and craft of the songwriters, as well as the arguable simplicity and ultimate effectiveness of these songs.
For example, the album supplies great intros that really help glide the listener into these songs and then pairs them with some great outros that almost make you hate leaving them. The record is chock full of great and lengthy guitar solos that bolster every single song they appear in; which is 95% of the record. And there are some exceptionally harmonized backing vocals that clearly draw influences from the likes of Bon Jovi, The Eagles, and Pink Floyd; how could you not find yourself singing along?
Overall, the album has the feel of mid-era Bon Jovi work, reminding me most of 1995’s “These Days”, without the over bloated sense of meandering. Make no mistake, this is a rock and roll record, with nine of its fifteen tracks ranging from five to six-minutes in length, but unlike the continued catalogs from classic artists, this album is wall to wall hit singles; I mean, I can’t find a “filler” in the bunch. Rarely do you find a record that houses an album’s worth of singles; but I swear, from top to bottom, “Life Happens Here” is a complete record of bona fide hits.
Let me be clear, these are perfectly radio friendly songs already, and I believe this album could be successful in its own right, but I’ll bet you $6 that if any one of them were refined to fit and then rerecorded by one of today’s New Country artists, they would become runaway hits; and to me that’s a songwriter’s success. Brett Santti and James Tuttle have delivered a great remixed and remastered version of their record, but what’s more, is that they’ve produced a fantastic calling card to an industry that introduces a pair of songwriters worth mining the talents of.
And if you’re so inclined, or just interested in the band and their music, videos, tour info, booking, merch, etc; you can visit their website here: https://walkingtallband.com/
Now, let’s break this thing down track by track:
“These Are the Good Times” (vocals by Brett & James) –Solid guitars and drums throughout, including a great solo and a super brief but cool guitar outro. The Pre-chorus and Bridge harmonies come at you with an appropriate strength that give way to some welcoming lead vocals w/ good harmonies and backing vocals on an absolutely superb Chorus. This new version compartmentalizes the separate musical parts nailing those harmonizing vocals solidly, crisping the guitar solo, and solidifying this as an exceptional opening track. One with an upbeat/optimistic attitude, that spell smiles for the listener, especially if you’re driving.
Melodic Lyric Note (...and, this is the Summation of the entire album): “Someday I’ll wish I was here”
“Unreachable” (vocals by Brett) – Welcome and well-placed harmonies lead this song to be considered for more than just it’s melancholic performance, as it reminds me that I’m not the only one to feel this way and ultimately neither are you. Brett’s vocals sound solid and portray a smokey-bar strength missing from the previous release’s version. There’s some noticeable stretching slide guitar work that delivers strong support for the bridge and chorus both before and after a nice piano step-down that leads to a note-worthy guitar solo from Brett. There’s also an organ buried in the foundation of this song that’s hard to spot but impossible to miss, ultimately strengthening the track as it secretly envelopes the listener. The track is capped with the perfect outro, this one being an all-too familiar voice recording that seals the song’s deal.
Lyric Note: “I no longer cast a shadow, it’s just a waste of time”
“Better Luck Next Time” (vocals by James) – This is an impressive improvement over the stunted/abruptness of the original version which made it feel somehow unfinished to me. The song begins with a great acoustic lead over a healthy electric rhythm that is later accompanied by an almost grinding guitar solo. The verses are melodic and ruddy, the stunted/abruptness is nearly gone, that drum track is times better, and the chorus and bridge melodies are much improved. I guess there really is something to be said here about those “next times”.
Melodic Lyric Note: (backing vocals) “Better luck..Better luck next time”
Bonus Lyric Note: “Nighty-Night”
“Just the Truth” (vocals by Brett) – My favorite matching intro and outro on the record delivers an unexpectedly warm and welcoming piano/drum duet. The dust has been cleared from Brett’s vocals, keeping them welcomingly smokey throughout and with significantly less strain in their sound. Unfortunately, the vocals are elevated in the mix at the cost of a strong but quiet lead guitar originally found under the chorus. It’s still there, barely, and Newcomers shouldn't notice that it’s missing. But damn, that’s a hard trade for me, I really loved that chorus-bolstering guitar work. Both mixes house some really strong Pink Floyd-type backing vocals ala “The Show Must Go On”.
Melodic Lyric Note: “Don’t give me no sharp mind…just the truth”
“If These Walls Could Talk” (vocals by James) – The piano intro sets the stage for this track that boasts a more contemplative perspective. The song is supported by a good melody with some pronounced female backing vocals, a strong guitar solo, and some deeper thoughtful lyrics. These elements are ultimately woven through some great underlying guitar work and a well-constructed and patient chorus that coalesce to make this one of my favorite songs on the record; even through some awkward metering. I say awkward metering because the song has always had a kind of lope to it. With that in mind, James sounds much better in the remixed/remastered version, as though his vocals aren’t trying to keep their balance over the other instruments in the track as they shift stance beneath him. The song maintains the underlying guitar work as before although it sounds clearer and perhaps just a bit punchier in this new release.
Lyric Note: “I haven’t heard their conversations but I’m sure they talk about me when I’m gone”
“The Last Goodbye” (vocals by Brett) – Beginning with an excellent guitar/piano/drum lead-in that sees itself combining with a series of simple vocal rhymes, excellent backing vocals, and a healthy, albeit short, guitar solo to make all of the song’s ‘feels’ strike home. The remixed / remastered version feels a little punchier with the drums turned up in the mix during the intro and first verse. The chorus sees this dynamic flipped and then stick throughout the remainder of the song. This was originally, I thought, the best song on the record. With the improvements made throughout the remixed / remastered version that may no longer be the case but it still ranks as a personal favorite.
Melodic Lyric Note: “Well, I’ve been your fool in denial”
“Wounded” (vocals by Brett) – A heavily effected track that has some really wonky zig-zaggy bass organ thing going on long before you get to the subdued guitar solo. I actually kind of dig the hand-full of modern lyrical references used to sell the point that, and to turn a phrase on, “I’m not dying, but I’m wounded”. At points throughout the song Brett’s lead vocal is mixed a bit too low for me, allowing, at times, the backing vocals to overpower him. The new release keeps the zig-zaggy organ and overall oddness of the track intact, and Brett’s vocals are still mixed beneath those backing vocals. This keeps the song a little wonkier than it already is, but after a few more listens, and since the guitar solo is subdued also, maybe that’s the point. Regardless, it still works.
Lyric Note: “When he’s wounded, like I am”
“Life Happens Here” (vocals by James) – A really solid and well-constructed track beginning with a nice piano/guitar intro that flows into Jimmy’s equitable lead vocal, ultimately building to a great melodic and messaged chorus which then winds down through a brief vocal outro. The 2021 release sports a clear and welcome separation between instruments, almost like the song has breathing room for the players to move around a live stage if not musically within the song. Additionally, the vocal lead-in to the solo sounds strong and clear now, while the vocal dynamics at the close of the song sound like they have definitive purpose. And Dude, that plethora of lingering guitar notes during the solo…Perfect, Yo!
Melodic Lyric Note: “We all learn to survive and persevere because life, happens here, every…day…”
“Is That All There Is” (vocals by Brett) – An absolutely fantastic track that I think wins the argument for best song on the album. The remixed/remastered version sounds level and musically clear across the board. I really really like James’ guitar work in this song. Superb Eagles-style backing vocals and a real Eagles-vibe throughout; kinda wishing that was the story of my life.
Melodic Lyric Note: “Life can be so complicated”
“Bleed Your Name” (vocals by James) – Detailed with an appropriately melancholic piano intro and ultimately accompanied by a perfectly acoustic guitar solo, this track deals with the heartache and pain experienced after the death of a lover. I don’t know why, but the subject matter feels almost too much for the record overall. It’s not, I guess, as it’s perfectly themed in the here and now, but there’s an obvious weight to the track that makes it the heaviest listen and least repeatable track, for me personally, on the record. When the band kicks in on the remixed / remastered version this one feels immediately cleaner and clearer. Those backing vocals come at the listener a little strong at 0:35 before settling down to a nicely meshed chorus. There’s some underlying acoustic and electric guitar work that bolsters the song’s original darkness and gives this track some “Ooompf” I hadn’t felt before.
Note: That 4th minute vocal chaos of the 2019 release is almost completely gone now. Clearly separating the appreciable multi-layered dynamics and allowing listeners to follow what’s going on there. And wow, there’s really a lot happening in that 1-minute.
“Time Is the Enemy” (vocals by Brett) – I absolutely love this song. Such a smooth beginning, gliding the listener in and then sailing them along. You can almost feel those winds, more like a pleasant breeze, of change. The remixed / remastered version sees the backing vocal’s support improved and the drop into the guitar solo is as smooth now as the rest of the song.
Note: There’s some fantastic guitar work going on in the background of this song.
“I Wouldn’t Change A Thing” (vocals by Brett) – I was originally not a fan of the keyboard pacing on this one, but it kind of grows on you. The verses are clear and really breathe, while there’s a minor squashing of the chorus, a chorus containing a bolstered and healthy pride, that’s easily acceptable to the song’s previous underproduced sound. Brett delivers a Bridge that’s a melodic high note and a really strong guitar solo before exiting the track.
Note: Some really fine Boston-influenced acoustic guitar work seems to have been added to the beginning of the song.
Lyric Note: (...and my favorite line from the album) “I guess amazing dreams have been made out of stranger things”
“My Time” (vocal by James) – A more mature song from, and for, a more mature man. Not too many of these out there. James delivers a worthy, and often catchy, vocal melody here, and I really like the sentiment of the song. It’s the only track on the record with a noted piano solo and it’s wonderfully preceded by a gentle vocal fading fall into it. Coming out of the solo and into the final 2:40, the song really opens up giving it a sense of largeness and clarity that I don’t remember getting before. There are some great trade-off and harmonizing guitar solos (hinting at “Purple Rain”?) that tease a “live” moment highlight and a gentle overall epic-ness that I don’t remember getting from the original version. Additionally, those guitars help make this a particularly strong closing track and one of the highlights of the album.
Note: I say, “almost oddly” because I actually feel a little shy singing this one “out loud”. It’s all, making my face blush and bubbling those familial/parental emotions to the surface and shit. …(sniff) fucking Thanks, James.
Lyric Note: “Raising a family is a labor of love”…middle-age problems, Yo!
2021 “Life Happens Here” Remixed / Remastered Bonus Tracks
“It’s All About Love” (vocal by Brett) - A surprisingly short and welcome first bonus track sees Brett deliver a straight forward vocal that is accompanied by some of the best meshed and layered backing vocals on the record. This is a warm and flowing song that delivers a more positive message about Love and fits in with the overall sound and rhythm of Brett’s other tracks.
“Every Day” (vocal by James) - The song falls right into rhythm, immediately catching the listener and waltzing them away. Fantastically produced and mixed, the song sports strong melodies, both musically and vocally, and a crisp acoustic guitar solo that work to create a track that really stands out.
Melodic Lyric Note: “If the love we had was meant to be, then I’d just turn around and you’d be here with me”
Get the CD from Walking Tall's Web Site - https://walkingtallband.com/store
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Turn Down The Lights, Turn Up The Sound .
Matthew Gilbert © 1999-2021 All Rights Reserved
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