Michael Gleason's Every Road is a CD that is best listened to sitting on your porch swing on a frosty fall day while snuggling in a warm blanket. Actually, the album goes down nice just about any time. Gleason has an impressive resume in the music industry with several chart topping song writing credits and a stint with Kerry Livgren's classic AD project. He puts that experience to work in this classy and mature group of 12 pop/rock songs that I predict will soon be some of your favorites.
Every Road combines a bevy of influences into a winning combination-you will hear the Beatles, Sting, and the pop sensibilities of Steven Curtis Chapman blended together on the CD. The liner notes say it best when they mention the songs are about "love, pain, relationships, meaning, identity, struggle, (and) faith." Gleason has a strong, distinctive voice that highlights the lyrics and punctuates the meaning of each song.
The production is top-notch, and the musicianship is equally sturdy. Every Road features some of the top current session players, and they bring strong support to these wonderful songs. My favorites are "Stranger," "Soul Town," and the potent closer "All's Forgiven." If your search through pop-rock top 40 lite has left you looking for something a tad more mature and beefy, check out Every Road.
