Canadian singer, guitarist and songwriter Andrew Gerard was born in Ottawa, and grew up on Vancouver Island. He is also known as Gerard The Hypnotist from the TV series Mindfreak with Criss Angel. Departing from TV and the world of magic after a car accident he rediscovered music while recovering. Discovered by LA Producer Ran Pink who produced his “Two Birds” recording at Fonogenic Records in LA, Andrew has just released his brand new full-length album “Run Away With Me”. Two songs on the album – the titular track and “Miracles” was produced by Danny Craig, while “Shine” and “Rewind” was produced by Troy Samson. The remaining 8 songs were taken care of by Ran Pink. The album also features some A-league players, such as Rami Jaffee of the Foo Fighters, Tom Strahle ( Justin Bieber) and Jesse Green (Wallflowers and Pink), as well as some beatboxing by Mr Wobbles from LA.
“Run Away With Me” is pure pop-rock cardio. The thumping, rhythmic collection of songs will make you sweat. Even the ballads come full of energy and urgency. With this album, Andrew Gerard pulls off another one of his neat magic tricks. He stretches the genre further than any artist, but his voice and melodies will keep most from noticing.
It truly is an album full of extraordinary momentum, as rhythm is a driving force behind many of the tracks on “Run Away With Me”. Gerard is a student of the popular music game. This album is his playground, and represents the fruits of his learning through the years. He’s trying out various things — adapting — while staying very much the same.
The opening titular track, “Run Away With Me”, is a typical mid-tempo Andrew Gerard type of song – sprawling acoustic guitars, strong melodics and a soaring vocal…at least that’s how it starts before the electronics set in. From there on, and for the next four songs at least, Gerard switches into overdrive with full-on, up-tempo, beat driven material that would make Nile Rodgers and Maroon 5 blush with envy.
“Shine” sparks and thumps with a funky rhythm, elegantly designed for the Top40. The finger-snapping soulified groove of “Rewind” tends an ear to both the Pop and EDM charts, while “Right Kind Of Love” and “One More Night”, seeks to confirm the previous affirmation with gusto.
Someone should study Andrew Gerard’s singing on this album, as he tries some unexpected approaches I haven’t heard him attempt before. His voice is sometimes softer, sometimes smoother, sometimes funkier, and sometimes it sounds like he’s ridding himself of all the classic pop vocal idiosyncrasies. And then there’s “Falling To Pieces” which includes all of aforementioned elements rolled into one.
This album has much to offer listeners. Whether its slick electronic beats, sweeping organic arrangement or vivid storytelling, “Run Away With Me” launches the singer-songwriter into uncharted territory exemplifying exactly why he is one of the most highly regarded underground pop-rock talents.
“Forest Fire” grabs an epic Peter Gabriel-type melody and doesn’t let go for 3 minutes of pure musical bliss. “How Long” may not say stuff that hasn’t been said before but it’s a stone cold smash hit in waiting. Same with “Our Last Goodbye”, and I’d be outright shocked if it doesn’t become one of the most-streamed songs from this album.
I haven’t been grooving and jamming to an album the way I have with “Run Away With Me” and I firmly belief that this is exactly what Andrew Gerard tried to get people to do with this album. This one is a cohesive recording from start to finish and isn’t a record that’s just a few singles with filler wrapped around it. The album has all the makings of becoming an award-winning project.
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