Tann "Sketches" out a fantastic first album

"Sketches" cover image

As a personal friend of Donovan Tann's, I had mixed emotions when I accepted the offer to write a review of his brand new, hot off the presses, full-length debut CD, Sketches.

What if I, upon listening, found the tracks torturous? What if I could think of nothing positive whatsoever to say about the album? I wasn't sure I was ready to ford the river of social embarrassment that would surely follow closely behind my ill-fated, yet honest, review.

Fortunately for me, I then went back to my dorm room and actually listened to the album. And, as I truthfully never doubted, my ears were pleased and all my fears of awkward social situations were washed away to the tune of Donovan's smooth guitar and vocal harmonies.

I liked it. Not only did I like it, but I found myself singing along to songs I hadn't even heard before, which is a sure sign I'm attempting to become a groupie before I've even had a chance to familiarize myself with the music.

Since his arrival last year, Donovan has been a musical staple at EMU. We've seen him at the coffeehouses and celebration, heard his voice behind us in chapel, harmonizing along with the hymn in ways that aren't even written in the music. His passion is clear and inspiring.

When I heard that Donovan was hoping to record, produce, mix, design, and program his own full-length CD this summer, I wasn't surprised. Nor did I bat an eye when I, upon reading the liner notes, learned that all the instrumentation on the CD, including acoustic and electric guitar, keyboards, percussion and lead and background vocals, were also recorded by Donovan, and all the songs, except the covers, were originally written. The guy can do it all.

As impressive as "it all" is, the most astounding thing about Sketches is the power and depth of the music. Donovan's smooth, unassuming acoustic style stands on its own, on a platform above all the technical mumbo-jumbo and time-consuming hours that it takes to record your own CD.

The CD opens with the catchy and up-beat tune "She," a testament to the story of an anonymous but simultaneously completely familiar girl who, in the artist's eyes, is the personification of the restraints on the church.

This implementation of a deeper meaning without a direct address is another one of my favorite aspects of Donovan's music; he pens music more spiritual than I have heard in a long time while simultaneously creating a message that is completely approachable. The lyrics are spiritually and emotionally charged, God-honoring and reflect an honest passion for the life we life and the God we love combined with an educated and intelligent concern for the issues that make this relationship a challenge.

Donovan's powerful voice gives each track unique personality and style, ranging from the solo-piano accompaniment of his awesome cover of Cohen's (most recognizably, Rufus Wainwright's) "Hallelujah" to the guitar-driven testament to the westerly and apparently, lyric-inducing state of Iowa in track eleven, "Iowa Sky," to the a cappella ballad "Understand."

My personal favorite is track eight, which cries out, "and I held your gaze for what seemed like days/ and we prayed like saints in our caffeine haze." Ah, the dangers of putting nutmeg in your coffee.

I personally have little to no idea how much work actually goes into creating your own CD, or even that much idea of why I technically enjoy Donovan's music as much as I do. With a musical history as the band geek who annoyed everyone by refusing to practice and coming in to class to "play by ear," my ear has been trained much more extensively than my knowledge of what exactly makes music good. Mostly, I know this music appeals to me. I like to listen to it while I do my homework, I like to listen to it when Donovan sings it in person and I like to listen to it because the messages and lyrics make me think.

Mostly, Donovan's music is quite difficult not to like, and I highly recommend supporting your fellow student in this tremendous accomplishment.

Tann's CD, Sketches, is available in the Common Grounds Coffeeshop for $10, or may be purchased via campus mail. For more information, contact Donovan Tann.