I have been trying to write the review for Blurred, by San Francisco singer/songwriter Alex Wise for a few months now but can’t seem to finish it. This is difficult for me to say but I get about halfway through the process and find myself so homesick I just can’t continue.

The past few years have been full of change for us. We moved hundreds of miles away from our family, our friends and our home of many years. Our oldest has gone from a quirky teenager to almost an adult while her younger sister has gone from a barefoot baby in diapers to a little girl who will be starting school in the fall.

Say goodbye to Ponchatoula

Down the track, fall outta time

Say goodbye to Ponchatoula

Down the track, fall outta time

Sometimes I miss our old life. I miss my front porch swing and the feel of worn wood under my bare feet.  I miss the smell of honeysuckle in the spring and cape jasmine in the summer. I miss the sight of dogs and kids playing in the yard or a cat stretched out sleeping on a porch column base. I miss the sound of Kahuna rocking on the porch, picking a tune out by ear on his guitar. I miss Kahuna’s Mom, who passed away almost a year ago.

Throw a pebble in a stream

of a clouded memory

Syncopated in a tune

of a moon, cow, dish and spoon

My favorite song of the album is Ponchatoula. Not only does it have a haunting melody and beautiful lyrics, each word seems carefully chosen to evoke feeling and memory. Almost too well in my case.

This trend continues with Blurred (be the only thing that’s true) and the jazz-tinged Someone Else Like You (what’s past and gone may still be here with you) but the album is not all slow and wistful. Tracks Blame on my Shoulder and the bluesy Secrets both inject a little rock into the mix while the wonderfully cute Gonna Give it Back to Nature (or as Scooter and I like to call it - The Poor Worm Song) adds some whimsy to counter the heavier themes. Alex also does an amazing job on his cover of Steve Forbert’s Romeo’s Tune. I love the harmonica bits.

Whether it uplifts your spirits, stirs your anger or evokes sadness, music should make you feel. The songs on Blurred do that and so much more. This is a wonderful album and I highly recommend you all give it a listen.

Blurred is available in digital format from Amazon and Bandcamp and in CD format from his website and CD Universe.

You can check out Alex on his facebook page or on his website. Catch him on the air with Sea Change Radio or follow him on Twitter @SweetAl

- Kit