writhaus

writhaus.com wishes you and yours a merry Christmas and a joyful holiday season.

We also vote Charley Pride - Christmas in My Hometown as the greatest Christmas album ever produced, if you were wondering.

Signed to Universal Records in 2006, William Tell’s latest release represents a well-rounded work from an artist who is maturing nicely. He knows his way around instruments, he knows his way around the studio and now we know he knows his way with lyrics, too.

“Fairfax (You’re Still the Same” talks about how some lovers stay the same even as we grow and change. It’s up tempo which helps cut the bittersweet of the lyrics. Tell’s former bandmate Andrew McMahon worked on the song with him. Fortunately, it has its own feel and not that of a Something Corporate single.

Maybe I am just a sucker for songs that mention the power of music, but among the best of the album is “Slipping Under (Sing Along to Your Favorite Song).” The song is about feeling pressure to change who you are. Tell’s lyrics suggest, “Just sing along to your favorite song, Takes you back to where you come from, Time and place, you cant erase When innocence is your only shame.” Again, the tempo is upbeat. It has a lightness that will keep you singing along while your brain processes the lyrics.

With “You Can Hold Me Down,” former Something Corporate guitarist William Tell comes into his own as a solo artist. This 10-song album (depending where you buy it) is filled with emotive songs and thoughtful lyrics. This album opens the door for Tell. Here’s to hoping his career continues fill our lives with music like this. Writhaus gives it a 4 and recommends Tell as an artist to watch over the next few years.

Scale:
0. Shoot yourself
1. Poor
2. So-So
3. Good
4. Excellent
5. Instant classic