Music Review: "The Downside" 

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THE DOWNSIDE


Overall Impression:
Bearing both a grand sense of style and finesse, Jeff Hartman's tenderly written "The Downside" is an elegant blend of smooth jazz, folk, and contemporary pop styles that possesses an air of charm and wonder that blissfully encapsulates the listener in a way that feels both thoroughly soothing and resoundingly pleasant. Smooth flowing vocal lines effortlessly weave their way throughout the richly textured arrangement and its harmonically intriguing threads whilst Jeff's signature lyrical style brings a level of humanity and passion-instilled expressiveness to proceedings that both captivate and engage in ways that are able to transport the listener to a place of utmost calm and serenity. Jeff continues to push his dashingly inspired level of creativity to even greater heights and presents his listeners with yet another enthralling piece of songwriting that contains a deep level of substance.


Strongest Point(s):
As is the case with all of Jeff's music, the vocals are a particular standout and bring a great level of both relatability and humanity to each and every piece of track of his. Whilst I am no stranger to Jeff's versatility as a singer, I was particularly taken by the way he further explores his own vocal capabilities in the moments that he manages to effortlessly reach some particularly angelic-sounding higher notes, helping to give his vocal lines an even greater feeling of shape and contour. The well-chosen instrumentation serves as the perfect fit for this style of track and between the subtle fender rhodes layers, timbrally expressive nylon guitar rhythms, sweeping string sections, and gentle underlying percussion, a great deal of tonal variety is created, helping to heighten the effectiveness of the arrangement even further. Speaking of strings, I appreciate the way in which they're subtly introduced in the latter half of the track, not only does this expand the textural properties in a delicate way, but they help create a tenderly handled feeling of extra momentum and urgency in the lyrics that works wonders.

Overall, "The Downside" is a thoroughly moving track that serves as yet another showcase of Jeff's deft creative touch when it comes to seamless genre-weaving. The music is well-crafted, with each instrument playing its part to create a complex and layered sound. The lyrics are equally captivating, adding an extra layer of depth and meaning to the music that helps draw you in instantly.


Target Audience Appeal:
"The Downside" is a strong jazz-edged folk-inspired piece of contemporary songwriting that I can certainly see appealing to many a broad music lover who enjoys the more elegant side of the singer-songwriter genres.
 

Music Review: "The Letter" 

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The Letter

Overall Impression: A touching and gorgeous song from the new album Sage, The Letter by Jeff Hartman pulls at every single heart string. It features a strong vocal solo by Hartman, and a light orchestral accompaniment. The simple nature of the orchestration puts an emphasis on every word, and every turn of phrase. The line "Love can pass beyond the hands of time" has a terrific depth and mirrors the spaces created in the music. Hartman sings with his signature grit and expressivity. The vocal harmonies come in at just the right moments to really drive the song into the listener's heart. As the tune progresses, a gentle guitar solo warms up the sound and makes it all the more inviting. Overall, The Letter is a fantastic new song by Jeff Hartman that really showcases the emotional side of the artist.


Strongest Point(s): The lyrics are the driving force behind The Letter. The story they tell is so moving, the listener should expect to shed a few tears. The music is very cool and does a great job of creating an expansive space that uses the power of silence very effectively. This is a very special song from Jeff Hartman that listeners are sure to enjoy. 


Target Audience Appeal: This is a unique song by Jeff Hartman that will appeal to fans of Adult Contemporary, Pop, and Folk.


Artist target suggestions: Eagles, Elton John, Phil Collins, Rod Stewart, William Paul McCulloch, Don Henley, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Harry Chapin, Bryan Adams, Barry Manilow, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen
 

Music Review: "Some Last Words"  

RadioAirplay.com Review
Some Last Words

Overall Impression: Some Last Words is an emotional new release by singer-songwriter Jeff Hartman. A Rock ballad enhanced with an electronic beat, Some Last Words fits perfectly in the world of Alternative Rock. It features elements from several eras of Rock, most notably the 80's & early 2000's, and has a sound that will pull in a vast array of listeners. The emotionally charged guitar accompaniment reflects the mood of Hartman's lyrics. It moves slowly, but does not shy away from being melodic. At times it is overshadowed by the beat, but this creates a unique dialogue between the old and new. A letter from father to son, the lyrics tell of what is important in life and ring with a heartfelt tone. They are given a solid vocal delivery by Hartman, and really emphasize the importance of the father-son relationship.


Strongest Point(s): The inclusion of the electronic beat is such a unique feature to this song. These sorts of beats emerged out of the Nu Metal & Alternative Rock scenes at the turn of the millennium. They instantly transport listeners back to that time, and reinforce the emotions that come with it. Hartman's lyrics in Some Last Words will also resonate with Fathers and Sons all over, particularly those who are in search of guidance.


Target Audience Appeal: Fans of Alternative Rock will enjoy Some Last Words by Jeff Hartman.


Artist target suggestions: Linkin Park, Incubus, Green Day, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Hoobastank, POD, Staind, Sublime, Johnny Cash, Harry Chapin, Bryan Adams, James Taylor, Bob Seger
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Music Review: "Secret Agent Man"  

Review

Secret Agent Man

Overall Impression:
With its charmingly humorous edge and marvelously upbeat nature, "Secret Agent Man" is both a pleasantly playful and thoroughly entertaining slice of spirited rock that offers up yet another hearty dose of memorable hook writing, infectiously catchy singalong choruses, and exciting instrumental interplay courtesy of musical maestro Jeff Hartman and his bottomless bag of inspired creativity. Opting for an undeniably fun and entertaining tone, Jeff explores the alluring world of espionage, undercover identities, and well-concealed gadgetry in an exciting homage to the thrilling escapades of secret spies and the shadowy organizations that house them. Of course, being a Jeff Hartman tune this is done in a way that gets those pulses raised and musical tastebuds salivating, providing listeners with a continually engaging arrangement that boasts deft instrumental layering, compelling melodic interplay, and performances that both inspire and excite.


Strongest Point(s):
Personality plays a key role in each and every Jeff Hartman track and "Secret Agent Man" is thankfully no different. The writing manages to exude a sense of humor that infuses each note and lyric with a lightheartedness that is sure to make even the most stoic listener crack a smile. The song opens with a driving drumbeat and guitar riff that immediately grabs the listener's attention whilst the soon-to-be-implemented brass elements infuse a certain dash of funk into proceedings that helps add to the overall sense of style that strongly permeates the track. Jeff's vocals are confident and playful and manage to perfectly capture the tongue-in-cheek spirit of the lyrics. His effective use of both melodic and rhythmic interplay between the various vocal layers injects an even greater feeling of both momentum and animation into the lyrics, heightening their appeal and charm-riddled qualities profusely.

Overall, "Secret Agent Man" is a fun and catchy rock track that will have you tapping your feet and singing along. With its infectious grooves, standout performances, and tongue-in-cheek humor, it's the perfect pick-me-up for anyone in need of a dose of rock and roll energy. So crank up the volume, grab your air guitar, and get ready to rock out like an undercover agent on a mission.


Target Audience Appeal:
"Secret Agent Man" is a mightily entertaining rock tune and there's no denying its appeal to enthusiasts of the genre.

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Music Review: " I Want to Be the One"  

I Want to Be the One Review

Overall Impression: Soulmates, lovers, and confidants will be at home with Jeff Hartman's new song I Want To Be The One. An auditory journey of love and desire, this Pop tune relishes in that feeling of wanting to be someone's other half. It features a synth-heavy, Electro Pop sound that blends modern production methods with Hartman's old school vocals. The beat bursts with color and a moderately bright energy. Particular to I Want To Be The One is the catchiness of the chorus. It is easy to sing along with, and even easier to dance to. This is the sort of tune that works well as a way to let loose, or to express your feelings for someone else. All in all, the high production value, lyrical content, and Hartman's singing all make I Want To Be The One a solid listen that edges on being timeless.


Strongest Point(s): Jeff Hartman has a very cool edge to his voice that works well for Rock and reminds a lot of the The Boss. The beat and instrumental work in this tune have a modern sound and affect. Both of these things work well with the relatability of the lyrics and emphasize their meaning for a wide audience. All mixed together, these elements create a unique listening experience with which everyone will have some connection. 


Target Audience Appeal: Fans of Pop and Electro Pop will enjoy I Want To Be The One by Jeff Hartman.

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Song Review: "Land of Was"  

Song: Land of Was

Overall Impression: Land of Was is one of the newest releases by New Jersey-based musician Jeff Hartman. An emotional and gorgeous new tune, Land of Was pulls at the feelings of regret, youthful ignorance, and missed opportunities. It has a softer sound that washes over the listener and creates a warm, magical atmosphere. Jeff Hartman takes a highly melodic and gentle approach to the vocal line. He sings with a wonderfully attractive tone that sounds as if he is singing to you directly. Soaring and buoyant, the chorus flows with a levity that can almost be felt. It stands out as one of the finer moments in a song that is already very fine. With the release of Land of Was, Jeff Hartman shows a softer side to his musicianship that is highly enjoyable from beginning to end. 


Strongest Point(s): The feel and mood of Land of Was are completely captivating. The slow groove, punctuated by the bass and driven by the acoustic guitar, is easy to melt into. It provides a solid foundation for the vocals and lyrics, and is the biggest contributor to the mood. Hartman's singing takes a bigger spotlight in this song than his others, and does not disappoint. While the song sounds very authentic and real, there is a noticeable touch of magic at play. 

 

Zachary Larson for Radio Airplay

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