For a guy who didn't kick-start his music career until he was "around the age of 30," Minnesota-based singer-songwriter-guitarist Corey Koehler sure has been making up for lost time by throwing himself into his craft. Drawing on roots-rock, acoustic and blues influences to write catchy and compelling songs, he also offers free tracks to new listeners and emails new songs with the stories behind them to fans who want them. Plus, he runs a website called Musicgoat, which shares ideas for how DIY musicians like himself can make money.
Koehler's latest album, FM, is a short but satisfying spin that establishes the guy as someone you'd like to chat with over beers at the corner bar and grill more than one night a week. While his voice doesn't possess the distinctness of, say, Bruce Springsteen or John Hiatt, it's powerful and proud — which makes upbeat rockers like "Why Wait" and "See You Smile" such fun to hear. "I Think About You" struts with feel-good melodies and one of those screaming bar-band guitar solos that make real fans swoon, while "Sad Eyes" is darker and heavier, "Frac Sand Blues" comes off as simple yet effective blues-rock, and the closer "When the Wind Blows Softly" is the perfect soundtrack for contemplating life while resting in the front-porch rocking chair after a particularly trying day.
Track Listing:
1) Why Wait
2) Frac Sand Blues
3) I Think About You
4) When the Rain
5) Let's Take A Walk
6) See You Smile
7) Brown Boots
8) When the Wind Blows Softly
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