Mike Styer's 15,000 Days

 Click to read June entry, "Life of Styer, Short version"

   Mike Styer’s newest album, 15,000 Days, is a bit different from his previous CDs.  Besides a hint of huskiness that now occasionally colors his tenor voice, you might be surprised to find there are no electric guitars on any of the tracks.  The result is a unifying acoustic sound, like you’ve just entered an inviting little specialty shop – and the collection of curiosities inside turns out to be a gift box filled with polished windows that look into Mike’s life as a musician.

   After the wistful yet upbeat harmonica gets your attention on the intro of the title track, only voice and acoustic guitar continue, placing the lyrics front and center.  Following the first verse, light drum sneaks up on you, and then the bass slides in; the beautiful pedal steel begins to cry, and perfect vocal harmonies entice you to sing along on the choruses of this folk-rock tune.  Already you know this album will be a treat.

   Hard Road is a look back on Mike’s struggles as he searches for the right woman, while Let’s Drift Away is from a moment of having found her, a great love song that was released as a single in 1981.  Each time Mike records it, there are little changes; this acoustic version has background vocals sweet enough to melt you.

   Then we hear a few unique stories, curiosities indeed, each with a musical change of pace.  On My Way Back Home is a humorous tale of picking up a hitchhiker who seems like a 1960’s materialization out of a time machine.  The music seems to come from another time, too, complete with flute, hand claps, and oo-la-la’s. 

   The Change is definitely a change from all the other songs with its profusion of major seventh chords and slow, sustained organ.  The bridge launches into sarcastic doo-wop before returning to the miffed lament over being rejected by one of his early bands.

   Mike is also a prose writer, and sometimes sets his fictional tales to music, as in the next two songs.  Loraina is a beautifully moody story of love gone wrong that leaves a suspicion in your mind about what may have happened at the crisis moment.  And Ivy, though it takes place in a fairytale setting, describes another crisis of love and loss, with a haunting ending.  Mike’s daughter Shelby steps out from the back-up singers to superbly sing the lead vocal, and the strings and guitars weave a polyphonic garden to set off her blossoming voice.

   The driving beat and addition of a banjo in this new version of Rivertown make the song sparkle like you’ve never heard it before.  It’s another window into Mike’s personal history, telling why he took up residence in the Steel Valley and decided to stay.  “I’ve seen a little of what’s out there/ I’ll take my rivertown, I don’t care!”

   Although Mike’s previous CD also has Patty’s Song on it, a compendium of his life could not be complete without this heartbreaking ballad describing the desolation he felt when his beloved wife died after 27 years together.  The next song is also from his previous album – the title track, Brothers of the Six-String – another necessary window to complete his history.  This song has been described as an anthem for not only guitarists but for all musicians who love their trade.    It declares their love and passion for playing music, from the early days of unencumbered youth to the final days of sore joints and numb fingers, and right on into the afterworld.

   Mike leaves us with a "new" song from 2013, the uplifting Heart Full of Music – which turns out to be a kind of revelation.  After all the loss, stress, and struggle we’ve glimpsed through these windows of song, he gives us a joyous exaltation of music itself, which seems to have a life force as strong as love.  Consistent with all the previous songs, the instruments are beautifully interwoven, the harmonies lovely, and the message clear.  You might even get a little goose-bumpy.

   Styer fans will treasure this new release for its beautiful instrumentation, new offerings, and re-workings of old favorites.  Even if you’re unfamiliar with his work, you’ll appreciate the musicianship of the players and the quality of Rick Witkowski’s production.  You may even find these Ohio Valley songs reflect some of your own experience, regardless of where you live.