Rating
4.0

Mason Reed is a man with a story to tell. It is a tale of blood, sweat, tears, bad luck and ghosts from the past that refuse to disappear. Reed regales listeners with his burden-themed anecdotes in his recently released You Can’t Come Back From Heaven (YCCBH), a five-song EP consisting of a fusion of Americana, garage and soul music.

Reed’s unique singing voice is what makes this album truly work. It is raspy and gruff, yet it contains a certain sweetness, which makes for an enjoyable auditory experience. He croons every word with a certain raw quality that makes his lyrics that much more believable and real. His voice is truly the defining aspect of YCCBH.

“I Don’t Love Nobody” opens the extended play with light, rolling drumbeats and a guitar twanging softly in the background. The beat is steady and catchy and rolls along perfectly with Reed’s raspy pipes. The gritty lyrics about a man whose existence is defined by the road are haunting and full of sincerity.

The next song, “Poor Old Man,” is more upbeat and energetic, with a thrilling electric guitar solo at the climax. Reed’s lyrics are haunting and tragic as he mourns the memory of his late father and tries to accept that he’ll never see him again.

The other three songs consist of the same soulful rollicking sound and thoughtful lyrics concerning the trials and tribulations of life. Every word Reed utters is achingly believable, and it is impossible to not feel a connection to the guy once the final song has played. These songs refuse to sugarcoat or glorify reality, instead embracing the simple and honest truths of life. While the music is solid enough, the real appeal of YCCBH is Reed’s ability to bare the truth and tell it like it is with so much believability.

Overall, Reed’s EP is definitely worth listening to because of its truly original lyrics and unique sound. The music itself is average, but the stories he tells within his songs are truly special, making YCCBH a real treat to listen to, despite having only a handful of tracks.