Not a truer line has been written when Mike Tramp’s bio described his album’s a musical diary of his life. Mike certainly wears his heart on his sleeve and pours that heart into his songs.
It’s something I respect the singer/songwriter for immensely, even when I’m occasionally not totally in tune with his musical output.
Mike has recorded some of my favourite singer/songwriter material. His Recovering the Wasted Years album remains an all-time classic for me.
Last year’s Cobblestone Street I thought was a little hit and miss, but the new album Museum is a much stronger affair.
Museum continues the stripped back, acoustic driven sound that Mike’s solo career has been based upon, perhaps a little more energetic than Cobblestone Street.
But at the heart of the album are some more truly inspiring songs.
None better than Trust In Yourself. Mike’s raspy vocal and haunting style are an immediate positive and the message is strong.
The layered acoustics of New World Coming draw you in, before the bluesy earth tones of Down South offer something new for Tramp fans.
The sparse piano ballad Better is another highlight for me, both in the lyrical quirk and the style of the song.
Freedom is a more uptempo and musically layered song while the again haunting Commitment returns to the sparse and raw emotional side.
The trio of songs that follow offer more insights into Mike’s life and continue the quality of earlier tracks.
Time For Me To Go is another great song and closes a very consistent and enjoyable record.
This is another one for long time Tramp devotees. Those that get Mike know what’s coming and based on the songwriting here, should rate this very highly.
Those that prefer the heavier White Lion or Freaks Of Nature sound might still find this a little stripped back for their tastes, but I urge those to take a good listen as skipping this album will miss some classy new songs.
