Brendon Massei
No More Sad Eyes (Broken Porch Music)
By: Alex Steininger
Twenty year old Brendon Massei is a rare find in the days of one hit wonders and musicians jumping on various bandwagons to stake their claims in the non-existent world of lasting rock stardom. Passing on every trend, and traveling the US in his car or with a Greyhound bus pass since the age of 16, Massei prefers to covert one or two souls a night to his music, rather than chase after the gold at the end of the rainbow that is a major label recording contract.Previously going as Supperbell Roundup, Massei's second full-length (and first under his name) continues down the path of self-discovery, observations of American life, and tales of living on the road. Common man, blue-collar folk at its purist, Massei shakes things up with subtle pop and dusty country goodness.
Expanding on the simple acoustic guitar and voice beginnings of At Station Four (Side 1), No More Sad Eyes gives the full on band treatment to a few songs, including "Get Me Away, And Get Me Back," while still serving up humble singer-songwriter moments like "The Way And The Will To Do So" and "Las Vegas Town."
A gem in its own right, No More Sad Eyes is the sweat and blood of a man carving his name in the musical sidewalk, doing things his own way, and being thankful every time a new ear comes his way, or someone helps him out. A gentleman to the fullest, Massei is a rare gem indeed, as is his music. I'll give this an A-.
