Shawn Colvin, John Gorka, the early 90s -- a particularly fertile period for singer-songwriter types -- all come to mind upon first hearing Joe Rohan's second release "These Days." Comparisons could also be made to more contemporary aritists such as Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, and Train, especially to Train's "Meet Virginia" or their mega hit "Drops of Jupiter." What "These Days" lacks, however, is the production to bring what Rohan's doing up to date. Perhaps this is why the tracks with the most bare bones production are the standouts. Rohan shines his brightest and comes off his most original on the brief and poignant "James Dean." The simple, modest acoustic guitar accompaniment allows the song to breathe and Rohan's personality to emerge. The groovy "Lovestruck Romeo," with its bluesy acoustic riff and soulful vocal, also manages to escape sounding dated and is one of the best songs on "These Days." While the production on "These Days" breaks no new ground, it must be said that the musicianship is highly competent and the performances flawless. Curtis Leonard's guitar, Scott Smith's harmonica, and Mark Leach¹s Hammond B3 accent and flavor "These Days" throughout, keeping things interesting. The most, as they say, radio friendly track is probably "So Many Eyes," a driving, rock tune that displays best Rohan's obvious pop sensibilities. The drive present on "So Many Eyes," as well as on all tracks with drums, is provided by none other than Rohan himself. Rohan also contributes tasteful dobro and keyboards to "These Days." A truly talented artist.
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Joe Rohan's These Days opens, simply enough, on the blue-toned but frothy "Desert Love." It's a bit fluffy, but Rohan's denim-comfortable voice and comfortable blues-rock style glide smoothly in to the deeper and darker thoughts of "Lovestruck Romeo." 

With each track layering on new layers of complexity, Rohan's songs develop a magnetic pull. Each song becomes a little deeper, a little more complicated and a little more solid. "These Days" begins to take a definite form, with Rohan's blues tendencies coming through more strongly. By the midpoint of the album, Rohan's sometimes wild flights of feeling focus to laser sharp images and solid, fleshy women. The click of bootheels on deserted roads is almost audible in "James Dean," while "Angeline" swings harmonica hips in rocking rhythm to a hopeful lover's musical plea. "Cold Winter Day" wraps its slow blue notes around the bones and lifts the spirits towards a cold, watery light with the gospel call of a Hammond organ. 

But just as Rohan's sound is at its bluest and deepest, his words achieving an almost physical solidity, he reverses the force of the album. "Pair of Horses" carries These Days back into the open sky, with a winding open tune that has more than a touch of wandering folk to it. "Ring of Fire" is what it has to be, a free, galloping tune barely held in check by its own insistent rhythm. "The Moon" ends the album back in the dreaming, malleable stream of consciousness territory where it began. 

These Days is a hypnotic album with the dark lure of an unexplored cave and the unexpected pull of an undertow. Like a sweet romance with a melancholy ending in sight, it's hard to resist.

by Sarah Meador
Rambles.NET
18 February 2006
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This CD has fabulous lyrics and the music goes right through you.  It's a gather-with-good-friends-and-good-drink type cd as well as a little-time-to-yourself type cd.  Buy it and do both!
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Loved the CD, love CD Baby!  I'll be back.
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