The anthemic "Scars From Another Life" (from Hit Me Back) paints the a picture of how far singer-songwriter Michael McDermott has come. His life full of myriad highest highs, gutter-skimming lows, and the absolute rock bottoms of the past two decades could read like a screenplay. Hit Me Back exudes McDermott's trademark embrace of faith and hope in the face of adversity. Working with producer CJ Eiriksson (producer of albums for U2 and Matchbox 20), Hit Me Back was recorded in a whirlwind eight days.
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5.53 x 0.21 x 5.02 inches; 1.28 ounces
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This is a very good recording from a veteran Chicago rocker. I share a hometown with Mike Mac and did not know of his existence until I accidentally ran into his band at a summer concert when he opened for an upcoming coming blues band called Back Door Slam. I arrived early to get a birds eye seat for the headline concert and Mac's band took the stage and blew everyone away. It was funny to see all of the concert goers acting like they were at a garden party scramble for their seats. Driving home I couldn't understand why I had not heard of this guy and needed to find out more. What I came to find is that Mac is just like a lot of the musicians I am drawn to who play music that appeals to them and have little regard for mass market commercial appeal. He is his own guy and has not allowed himself and his music to be a casualty of an industry that is wired for mediocrity. It is for these reasons that you might not have heard of Mac. One of this artists biggest fans is the great American horror writer Stephen King who writes that Michael McDermott 'is one of the best songwriters in the world and the best undiscovered rock n' roll talent in the last 20 years.' While that is heavy praise from a heavy weight, it is spot on. Only you can allow this unfortunate trend to reverse itself. If you love music and want to support true artists and not some soulless, fly by night, bought and paid for, get rich quick, one hit wonder, do yourself a favor and check this guy's music out. You will not be disappointed. One thing you need to know is he writes and performs from deep places of his heart and if you are caught up in some life struggles, the music will take you on an unpredictable journey and light the way beyond. This recording in particular is strong from start to finish and the top tracks include the title track 'Hit me Back', 'Let it Go', 'Dreams About Trains', 'Scars from Another Life', and 'Is There Another Kiss on Your Lips'. Other prior recordings you might check out include 'Bourbon Blue', 'Last Chance Lounge' and the haunting 'Ashes'.
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2012
The headline that leads into a June, 2011 Chicago Tribune bio piece was "What Happened to Michael McDermott?" I am happy to tell you that this is what happened to him.
There is nothing I can say that will be able to bring praise enough to this hopeful, touching, and remarkably satisfying collection of songs from Michael McDermott. After 20+ years of highs and lows both in his career and personal life (which are told in detail in that abovementioned article) that have brought lesser men to their knees, and worse, we are given glimpses of both the light and dark places in his heart, and witness the way he has been able, to borrow his phrase, to turn his ship around.
There are a lot of extremely personal songs here, and at times bearing witness to the suffering and pain can be heart breaking. And while it wasn't my intention to call attention to any single track here, it's hard to overlook "Ever After," a song that stands out like a monument to Michael's determination, strength, and ultimate redemption. It's a stunning, jarring punch in the heart that is simply searing in its raw pain, shock and surprise, that wakes you to the fragility of life, the empty feeling of sudden abandonment, despair, and the ultimate finding of the faith to get through the sudden loss of a loved one. And if Michael McDermott never writes another song again, the legacy of his insight, his visceral connection between body and soul, is forever safe with this song.
As they used to say, this CD is not a totally dark ride, and yes, of course there are other songs here that don't deal with struggle and loss of this dimension. I can tell you that Hit Me Back and The Prettiest Girl in the World will make you smile, The Silent Will Soon Be Singing will inspire you, and everything else, and I'm not being dismissive with this, will make you happy that Michael McDermott has survived, has turned a corner, and remains one of the very few honest to God honest song writers today. It may be his experience, may be his faith, and it may be his skill at putting what he feels on paper and into song, but whatever it is and however he does it, this is a singularly monumental CD in his career, and I think, his life.
I don't know, I think each generation has produced someone who can put musically put a handle on what's living in our hearts and minds. Maybe it was Seegar, and Dylan, Lennon, Springsteen, and I guess a few others that have earned a role in chronicling our lives and giving us a voice in the times since the 50's. Right now, for me and thousands of fans, it's Michael McDermott. So, lift a glass to Michael in celebration of the year it all went right. And do not miss this.
NB: You can learn all you need to know about this CD right here [...] . You can join the fan forum, run by a nice young lady in Texas, and stay in touch with what's going on. You should. And go to his Facebook band page and make yourself known there as well.
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