Some records are made out of obligation; others are motivated by sheer desire. Ex Tempore (Rte. Eight/RCAM, street date August 7, 2007), the new album from writer/artist Johnny Irion, falls into the latter category. The title was inspired by the rapid pace of its creation—a pace that undoubtedly contributed to the immediacy of this song cycle, a varied yet cohesive collection intermingling piano balladry, Americana, chamber pop and folk-style fingerpicking, with the occasional blast of skronky rock to clear the air.
These songs trace the contours...
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