John Dorsch’s album “Elevation” is a musical masterpiece that takes listeners on a captivating journey. The 15-song collection, released by MTS Records, showcases Dorsch’s unique style of folk rock/Americana, filled with vibrant melodies that are both traditional and modern.
The album opens with the title track, an instrumental piece that highlights Dorsch’s fingerstyle skills and dazzles listeners with its uplifting melody. Dorsch’s guitar work is never showy but built around consistent melodic strengths that ebb and flow throughout the piece, creating a mesmerizing musical landscape.
The first song with lyrics, “Dragonfly”, showcases Dorsch’s pastoral leanings and the potent harmony vocals he achieves with his wife, Dani Baribeau. The song’s connection to the natural world is one of its glittering qualities, reflecting Dorsch’s personality and his deep connection to the Ottawa Valley, where he draws inspiration.
“Nothing to Lose” boasts one of the album’s best arrangements, with a memorable chorus that expands on the song’s primary melodic motif without stepping too far outside of the song’s structure. “Seasons” is another instrumental piece that relies more on atmospherics than the album opener while still extolling the same melodic virtues.
The album also features the track “Save Just One More Life”, which has an ethereal tilt more pronounced than most of Elevation’s songs. Dani’s harmonies are again a bright spot and the obvious spirit moving Dorsch throughout this song never fades.
One of the defining elements of “Elevation” is the seamless blend of acoustic and electric guitar. Dorsch’s mastery over both these instruments allows him to create music that strikes the perfect balance between soft, melodious tunes and high-energy beats.
The album’s inspirational lyrics are another highlight. Each song is a story in itself, shedding light on various aspects of life while imbuing listeners with hope and positivity.
“Elevation” is more than just a collection of songs. It is an artistic expression of Dorsch’s profound understanding of music and his commitment to spreading joy through his tunes. Each song in the album is a labor of love, reflecting Dorsch’s dedication to his craft. The success of “Elevation” is a testament to Dorsch’s talent and his relentless pursuit of musical excellence.