Casey Hurt – Official Website – Pawn Shop Gospel

Do you remember when music actually had real instruments in them with real people playing them? How about good songwriting performed by artists that not only wrote the music but poured their heat and soul into performing them? Today when one listens to the radio what do you hear: a pretty or handsome face, cookie cutter songwriting, crafted via a microphone, some fancy sampling and a mix that sounds more like a commercial than a piece of music. Yes the magic is all but gone from modern-day music, and millions are wondering why. Actually there are a few select artists out there that still believe in the power of good music. Artists like Los Angeles based Casey Hurt who just released his latest CD entitled “Half as Much as Love.” I have to say I was extremely impressed with the opening 3 tracks: “Trouble”, “Into Your Arms” and “Family”. They made quite the impression with me possessing my full unadulterated attention. To be honest: I expected cheesy Sing-Songy Jason Mraz” type Pop that was extremely predictable and shallow in nature – very compatible for a mass audience. Not that there’s anything wrong with Jason Mraz – but many are longing for something more real and genuine. What I discovered with Hurt is quite the opposite actually. The whole CD is wonderfully conservative yet full of what I would call positive acoustical energy with music that appeals to so many different senses on so many different levels. It reminds me of Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Counting Crows, and The John Butler Trio. I can also hear a classic folk influence in there as well like Woody Guthrie and Fleetwood Mac. What I really like about Casey Hurt is there is no attempt to deliver what I call over the top-pop. “Half as Much As Love” is one CD that takes us back to our Alternative-Folk roots. Whether it’s musically, lyrically, inspirationally, emotionally, or spiritually – if you feel like music is taking us in the wrong direction rest assured Casey Hurt has righted the ship with “Half as Much Love.”

My favorite Tracks: “Into Your Arms, Family, Prodigal Son, title track.

Final Word: Casey Hurt will affirm your faith in music again. Hurt represents all that is good in music and this latest string of song delivers an amazing 10 Track catalogue that is full or warmth and melodic variety.

Official URL – http://www.caseyhurt.com/ 

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

CASEY HURT – Half as Much as Love (CD)

by Heather Savage edited by Cyrus Rhodes and Drew Blackwell

Casey Hurt hails from Southern California and has received many impressive accolades thus far in his tenure as an artist down in the LA Area. Reading from his bio: Casey Hurt is a complicated man singing songs from a simpler time. His melodies reveal the emotions that most of us keep hidden, and that other songwriters might shy away from. He’s black coffee honest from the history in his voice to the heart on his sleeve. His music has been shaped by artists like Van Morrison, Tracy Chapman, Al Green and Jackson Browne. Half as Much as Love (2012) is his latest release and it has much to commend it. Admittedly, there is a whole lot of variety to these arrangements and performances. First: Hurt’s impressive band delivers rock solid playing like a well oiled machine. This is testament to hundreds of hours of rehearsal time no doubt. Second: Hurt’s voice and overall circa 1920’s look hit the mark remarkably well. He has the attributes required of an effective Singer/Songwriter. Third: his sound and amazing songwriting touch are as good as it gets. All songs are a skillful combination of modern pop rock yet with a slight Old Type Folk aftertaste that will remind you of the likes of Sister Hazel and David Gray. Hurt has the creativity and songwriting prowess to be extremely dangerous, but there is also a unique quality to this catalogue that breaks the mold when compared to the mundane pop-rock that’s been filling the airwaves lately. What am I trying to say – well let me start by saying there is nothing fake and superficial about Casey Hurt. He is the genuine article. Not every square inch is filled with musical ambience delivered under duress – but musical space this allows the music to breathe on its own with passion that cannot be faked. Equally as impressive is how marketable Hurt truly is when attempting to connect to a cult fan base. It covers so much ground and despite this, it manages to not spread itself to thin across too many lines – nice touch. I’ve always said if you can play it a party, then it’s marketable. The music is extremely marketable – with a fresh sound that is passionate and entertaining very much like Hurt himself.

Casey Hurt Links:
URL: http://www.caseyhurt.com/

PRESS/SONICBIDS – http://www.caseyhurt.com/sonicbids-artist-of-the-week-review-best-new-music-new-artist-music-review/

Videos – http://www.caseyhurt.com/videos/

Connect with Casey Hurt:

TWITTER – https://twitter.com/caseyhurt

FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/caseyhurtmusicpage

Let me go on record by saying Casey Hurt has no weaknesses that I can see or hear. He has everything! His latest release “Half as Much as Love” is an endearing album limited by nothing. I would imagine in time we will hear more from this artist from Los Angeles as the years unfold. Time will tell but I can honestly say this is one artist that is set up for marketable success down the road with his musical personality and fresh sound that gives modern music a well needed shot in the arm.

Send review comments to: heathersavage5@gmail.com

Casey Hurt is a fascinating artist from Hollywood California who has been making quite a name for himself both regionally and internationally. He has received critical acclaim for his amazing songwriting and is clearly doing all the right things as an up and coming artist.
Citing his bio: Casey Lee Hurt is the only son to a rebellious, God fearing ex-preacher. A bit about Casey: At an early age he was handed a pawn shop guitar and an old hymnal and they haven’t left his side since. He’s black coffee honest from the history in his voice to the heart on his sleeve and his music reflects that. Artists like Van Morrison, Ryan Adams and Ray Lamontagne resonate in his soul and have uniquely shaped the sound and story that is Casey Hurt. Casey spent most of 2010/2011 either on the road touring or in the recording studio. His last album “Mended Souls” debuted in the top 25 on the iTunes singer songwriter charts. Also, Casey’s song “Come To Me” was featured on the CW’s “One Tree Hill” alongside of artists like Ray Lamontagne, The Black Keys and The Carey Brothers. Casey has also had music featured on shows like Bar Karma and Current TV. While on tour last year, Casey created quite the buzz for himself. He played a sold out show at the legendary Hotel Cafe’ with Tyrone Wells. He also sold out shows in Santa Monica and Santa Cruz California as well a Corvallis and Portland, Oregon. His music has also been featured on radio stations up and down the west coast like Seattle’s KEXP and Los Angeles’s KCRW. Hurt calls his music Pawn Shop Gospel and I like the moniker. This latest CD “Half as Much as Love” has everything the title implies and the result is an elegiac artistic statement from start to finish. This is not your overly predictable singer/songwriter, in-fact Hurt could be classed as a 4 genre artist: Alternative Rock, Pop, Singer-Songwriter and even Americana. Hurt has way too much precision and clarity to live in the shadows of Radio Pop. Indeed this is clearly evident in songs like “Mary Mary”, “Two Masters” and “Trouble,” which methodically up the ante to a very respectable level of catchy musical expression and craftsmanship that transcends typical pigeonholing. The music is also extremely commercially viable with a fresh earthy yet entertaining vibe that will make a real connection with listeners. Hurt coves a lot of ground and delivers a little something for Pop fans and a little something for Folk/Americana fans as well. He ever sails into Jam Band, Alternative Rock territory and even brief splashes of Saloon Jazz. Hurt will remind you of Ray LaMontagne, Amos Lee, Dave Matthews Band and Joe Purdy. The 10 song line-up comes emotionally charged and appeals to many different listeners and fans with a wide variety of musical styles to choose from.

Favorite Pieces: Mary Mary, Two Masters, Trouble.

I would imagine in time we will hear more from this amazing artist in the near future. I would not be surprised to hear his music featured in a major Motion Picture, Prime Time Radio or even in a popular TV Series one day. But for now I can honestly say this is one artist that clearly gives you a musical snapshot that is highly original, uplifting and dare I say brilliant in scope.

Written by Michael Rand edited by Heather Savage