Album Notes

After years of writing and months of recording and mastering, singer/songwriter Collin Derrick is set to release his debut album, “The Consumer’s Gospel.” Daring to be lyrically deep and musically intelligent when shallow sells, Derrick’s album will infuse the listener with influences ranging from piano rock to acoustic jazz to alternative rock. Buyers will be able to find the album at select stores as well as online at cdbaby.com, Napster, and itunes.

“[Derrick] is not afraid to expose what is truly going on in his mind, and it brings a very intense element to many of the songs,” said musical partner and co-producer Stephen Russ, who also plays percussion on the album. One way Derrick brings this intensity to his music is by bringing back the fading element of storytelling in his song writing, thus creating thought-provoking songs listeners can identify and connect with. The same intensity can be found in Derrick’s vocals, exhibiting a wide range, clarity, and rawness that is often lost in much of the over-produced, studio-enhanced vocals on the market today. “One of our goals with the songs was to really embody the lyrical content in the music,” said Russ, “Thus, the songs that are depressing are really depressing, and the more light-hearted tunes are just that.” This diversity can be seen going from clever “Clemson Blvd,” a song about the “American Dream” and driving around with, “one girl on each arm,” complete with mid-song electric guitar riffs, to “Gomer,” which is more solemn in lyric and music, bringing in strings, piano and female backup vocals. In an album filled with depth and thought, Derrick did not stop short with the album’s title. “The Consumer’s Gospel” alludes to the tendency of the media to sell you “a gospel not of salvation but satisfaction,” said Derrick.

“This album had been a dream of Collin's for a long time, and we really went for it,” said Russ. “We really tried to pour ourselves into every part of the album, from the recording, to the mixing, to the song arrangements, and even to the artwork. The end result we feel is exactly what we were aiming for in the beginning. An album with soul and a purpose.” “The Consumer’s Gospel” will also be available for purchase at any of Collin Derrick’s live performances.