Album Notes

Ranging from spare acoustic-guitar-and-vocal tunes to oddly-textured ensemble pieces, these are songs of observation and possibility, at times honoring, modifying, or utterly disregarding traditional song-craft. Whether paying tribute to his inspirations ("523 BC" is an at-a-glance career retrospective of Canadian legend Bruce Cockburn), or tipping the hat to his heroes (the portrait of Joe Strummer, "Hey Sloganeer"), Mike Helm's We Raise Up Our Glasses is a devoted songwriter's record.

Attentive listeners will detect threads of Peter Gabriel, Michael Hedges, Ian Anderson, McCartney, Bowie, and more woven throughout. Music for those who enjoy complexity, depth, and detail, this collection bears repeated listening and much opportunity for discovery. Not to be taken lightly.

From Blue Jordan Records.