Mark Diedrich "Something Tells Me" by David Pilot

	According to Mark Diedrich's website, http://www.oursite.at/mdiedrich, his CD "Something Tells Me" is the culmination of some 34 years of musical ramblings. Diedrich's musical tastes were shaped listening to the Byrds and Buffalo Springfield in the 60's and 70's, and it shows. For the die-hard Texas music fan that may not be such a good thing, but for Americana listeners with wide-ranging tastes it certainly can offer benefit. It needs to be said right up front that this is not honky tonk music. Chris Wall's fans would be lost at a Mark Diedrich show. Also needs to be said that "not honky tonk music" is not an indictment. Diedrich is from Minnesota, which we believe is a county in the hinterlands of the Texas Panhandle. As a result, this disc is straight ahead Americana music. Folky, twangy, occasionally earthy, and occasionally a bit too self-conscious. The inspirations for the song list on this album are widely varied. There's a passage from Hebrews set to music, there's a poem from a French woman imprisoned by the Catholic church for heresy and there's a tribute to Gram Parsons. Some of the songs pull from Diedrich's interest in history and the epic of the American Indian, while others are more introspective as Diedrich discusses the loss of a young son and addresses the heartache abusive relationships can cause. As a result, there is no consistent "feel" to this CD-which, again, may or may not be a good thing depending on individual listener taste. Apparently this was the desired goal, as Diedrich's website states: In summary, "Something Tells Me" is a supercharged collection of great songs and performances, done largely in a Byrdsy, country-rock, fashion (read Americana), on a wide variety of topics that will keep you guessing and pleasantly surprised from beginning to end! Our opinion differed on that point, but not to a fatal degree. There are songs on this album that deserve to be heard. One is "Find Our Dreams," the eighth track. Diedrich wrote this for his wife and dedicates it to her each time he performs it live. Probably the best cut on the disc, it combines a Byrds style harmony and lyrical style to explain what many of us have felt when we looked at our wives at one point or another: I wouldn't tell her goodbye 'Cause in my mind I'd be going on And fallin' down, like some big old tree I'd be tossed like a leaf in the sea Strugglin' to find what I need Simple, clearcut and poignant, this is what Americana music is about. On the majority of the tracks here Diedrich displays the same understanding and insight. There's also a cover of Buddy Holly's "True Love Ways." Diedrich's take on the old classic is startling; the first listen is almost like hearing the song for the first time. We were reminded of Bruce Springsteen's reworked version of "Born In The U.S.A." released last year, which stripped the 80's anthem down to a stark portrayal of blue collar America and belied the original's exuberance and "patriotism." While Diedrich's "True Love Ways" does not alter the song's meaning so drastically, it does sound entirely different and conjure images not thought of before. An interesting take on a classic song, to be sure. Seems like this time that I've known you Has only been a momentary dream But something tells me the time has not been lost 'Cause in that distance you've become a part of me That lyric sums up this debut album well. It is simple and it is heartfelt. It is not wickedly clever, and it does not turn a phrase to hook you. It is a take it or leave it look at life and love and heartache and loss. "Something Tells Me" is a face value CD that will not appeal to everyone. But to those of a similar mind to Diedrich this will become a favorite that rarely leaves the changer. It is coffeehouse music, best enjoyed on a back porch overlooking a mountain valley's fall Contact Dave Pilot at tailgunner-at-rockzilla.net
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