The Edge

The fourth album by blues artist Gary Clark Jr. has many fans on both sides of the fence. While it reached number one on the Billboard Blues Charts this month, reviewers on iTunes have other things to say about the album.  Some think that the album is overproduced and is missing the elements made Gary Clark Jr. so great to begin with.  While there are others that think the artist is showing how multifaceted his talent is.  By following Gary Clark Jr. and the paths that he has been going in, it is clear that he is aware of the way the business works, but is consciously doing his own thing.  He has worked with Mississippi MC Big K.R.I.T. to get established in the Hip Hop world.  The opening track, the Healing has underlying Hip hop loops that exemplify this influence, with out being overpowering.  His album shows hints of these different vibes including some Psychedelic hints on the vocals in the track, Wings .  Another influence that can be heard throughout the album is R&B, Our Love has clear and is a calmer track. He then takes us on the Funky train with his track Stars  then he swings us back around with Gospel styles in the song Church. In addition to all the experimentation that he has done, he also has decided to step away from some of the big name producers he has worked with.  This album he decided to do on his own at one of the hometown studios in Austin. This really exemplifies his want as an artist to do his own thing and that he is in control of the music that he is presenting us. Gary Clark Jr. manages to go into this concept album about his childhood with hints of genres that have stemmed from Blues music and has incorporated them into creating a masterpiece.   By taking on these different hints, he is shaping the modern blues era into something possibly new and different. While it would be great to hear his great guitar shredding, it is refreshing to hear his other talents unfold and creates anticipation for what he will try next.