Former Prince George resident Chris Palser has not put together the all-too-common simplistic acoustic album a lot of solo musicians seem to start with these days.  Instead, he has produced a full rock album, complete with a full complement of backup instruments.  The question is, does Palser really rock, or is he going to be left behind?  His first album may be called Left Behind, but Palser is certainly up to speed so far.

The classic-style electric rock riffs start flying over solid, simple chord progressions right from the beginning.  Second track Tell Me Why is loaded with both high and low guitar rounds winding in and out of each other.  He also goes acoustic early on just to prove he can with title track Left Behind.  An electric guitar comes along later, but he sticks to his guns and keeps his subtler acoustic line going all the while.

Some of his most interesting work, however, is when he combines the two: Your Way Home starts with a slow electric guitar riff, adding acoustic in later as the song begins to pick up speed.

He continues to mix the two throughout the song with some of his most soaring vocals thrown into the mix for good measure.  His classic-rock tinted songwriting is one of his greatest strengths, and songs like Your Way Home take full advantage.  Say what you will about newcomer Chris Palser, but he certainly hasn’t been Left Behind yet.
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Originally from Prince George, British Columbia, Chris Palser is a singer/songwriter with a slightly heavier rock style. His voice and delivery sometimes bears comparison to Ed Kowalczyk (vocalist for Live), while musically his material is contemporary rock with a harder alternative twist. Left Behind is Palser’s debut release.

A sense of wistful reminiscing and loss permeates the atmosphere on Left Behind; this is somewhat less surprising when one views Palser’s website and discovers that the material on this album was written following his divorce. The songs are never truly bitter or angry, but a feeling of regret washes the tracks with a patina of sadness, and Palser’s earnest, emotional delivery, combined with the lyrics, makes for an urgent and intense listen.

“Left Behind” (the album’s title track) and “Your Doors” are representative tracks, complete with emotional, urgent vocals, crunchy rhythm guitars, and bigger than life anthemic hooks that could have been lifted wholesale from any of several 1980’s arena rock bands. “Shame” opens with acoustic guitar before building to arena-zised choruses. Cassandra Nantel’s backing vocals add some shade and additional texture to the piece, and the alternating acoustic and electric sections set this piece a bit apart from the masses. “Your Way Home” has an instrumental melody line that reminds of Pachelbel’s Canon in D, albeit likely not intentional. It’s a neat little reminder of how certain themes seem to become more of a universal piece of people’s musical vocabularies.

Production values on Left Behind are good, with a spacious sound field and plenty of room for instruments to breathe. Having a somewhat more stripped down sound helps contribute to this feel, but it could have just as easily created a narrower, less open mix.

What Left Behind lacks in intricacy and technique it more than makes up for in pure emotion and integrity. Chris Palser is a songwriter to look out for, and Left Behind is an honest and powerful debut album.
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