Last Time Only started out has band project and has turned into a solo act consisting of Jared Woodruff and his acoustic guitar. Woodruff is currently releasing a 6 song EP titled “Past+Present=No Future” and will touring most of June in over 13 states promoting this release. Since the band’s inception Jared Woodruff has always been responsible for all the music and lyrics.
The “Past+Present=No Future” title of the EP is in reference to some of the songs being older, up to 13 years, (but never recorded) and brand new. Jared Woodruff aka Last Time Only, has set a new height for following acoustic-guitar rock competitors. It is truly touching to know that there is someone out there who believes in the power of words and music, as Woodruff clearly does.
The moment the picked guitar-notes kick-off “The Things We Tell Ourselves”, you know you’re in for something special. This Ep is one of the few – in a long time – that has made me toe-tap, think, sing, and sulk, all at one time. It is truly powerful music, especially considering the minimal instrumentation.
The EP is even more amazing, considering Woodruff comes from a punk band. Though he keeps his alternative, punk generator running in the background throughout the songs, the sound is melodic, vibrant and bright. You can tell with every song that Woodruff has put his heart and soul into every note of this music here.
Even a relatively sad song like “South Jersey Romance”, has a tune you can hum to, words you can relate to, and the feeling it gives you when you wake up to it in the morning is completely refreshing – especially after confirming that ‘there’s plenty of fish in the sea’ and you have ‘reeled another one in’!
You need to get this EP if you are into catchy acoustic-rock, emo and alt-pop, it’s totally awesome. You will be singing along and it won’t leave your player. The chord progressions on “Until I See You Again” are sublimely delicious as is Jared Woodruff’s vocal impact on this, and every other song on “Past+Present=No Future”.
This album features catchy melodic vocal arrangements, entwined with Woodruff’s ever present acoustic-guitar playing that makes for easy listening without even contemplating the lyrics. However, if you’re one to go a bit deeper, past the overall sound of the EP, you’ll find yourself drowning in Last Time Only’s amazing lyrics set; especially if you are in the midst of a relationship that seems to be spiraling to its doom. Woodruff will either uplift you, or totally break you with his inter-relationship psyche, that moves from “You’re The One I Want To Make Beautiful Music With” to “Will She Ever Know”.
However it’s the closing song that is worth the entire EP in my view. On “Past Mistakes”, Woodruff’s genuine and heartfelt lyrics are simple yet powerful, and his voice is clear, honest, and full of raw emotion. The melody just soars and climbs higher and higher, until the song explodes with passion. This is superlative music that transcends genres. This song will be in my player a ling while yet!
Each song on “Past+Present=No Future” seems to represents a time, conversation, event, or thought that once crossed Jared Woodruff’s path. He uses lyrical imagery, sumptuous melodies and an eloquent voice to convey his meaning while each song clearly draws us right into the core of its theme.
OFFICIAL LINKS: WEBSITE – SOUNDCLOUD – FACEBOOK – TWITTER – YOUTUBE – REVERBNATION
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