Roots And Wings (studio album) by Antonio Lopez

Like a time capsule from 1975. The instrument choices, the production. The self-satisfied lyrics. Not my bag at all.

From Mercury 01/02/2021 17:14

70-80/100

There is a lot about this album which is familiar. Its like a 2021 Cat Stevens album. Its got a similar laid back, nearly edgeless vibe similar to Jack Johnson. Especially after a couple tracks I was lead to believe this album was going nowhere at a peaceful and pleasant pace.

Somewhere around track 5, - "The Truth We Tell" - some things start to fall into place. The musical arsenal opens up, more instruments, a female vocalist comes in, things start blossoming from acoustic guitar-driven folk with a hint of soft rock, to a fully detailed and quite beautiful folk rock album. From there to the end of this album the sounds, while maintaining a very even-headed contemplative simplicity, become more engaging and attention-grabbing.

As a whole this is an album that is getting across a sense of humanity, and the lyrics read like a friend calmly trying to get you to slow down, take a breathe and act wisely in the face of all the chaos and hatred that surrounds you. This message is most obvious in the album's centerpiece "The New Warrior".

"The New Warrior" is an excellent, if borderline didactic, song about getting out of your own head, ending the constant need to fight and thrash, and instead just look and see the humanity of all those around you. Its really an important message in these early days of a new year fresh on the heels of some of the most divisive and miserable months in our lifetimes. Reading some interviews with Lopez indicated this song (and the album as a whole) was inspired by a Buddhist friend who enlightened him on a more even-keeled approach to living. And this is reflected beautifully in this song and throughout the album.

The album is soft and almost completely lacking any edges or strong emotional outbursts. This, to many, will be a turn off. But if you like folk and folk rock of the early 70s Cat Stevens variety and you want a break from all the usual neuroticism that most musicians display with seeming pride, this album will be a bracing breathe of fresh air.