Sean Kagalis • Working Parts

I am not sure exactly how it happened, but singer.songwriter Sean Kagalis slipped an album out the world, and I missed that fact. Yes, I agree, I doubt he tried to get it out there without me knowing, but I am trying to figure out what happened. So far, all signs point to the fact I am not quite as quick as I used to be, and could use someone to hang around and poke me from time to time, to prove I am awake. I do enjoy Sean's music, have taken looks at the album 'Songs From the New Depression' and the single "Legalize It".

I like Sean's style, as he manages to combine classic Folk structures and sounds with a bit of modern Rock and a touch of Country to author his own sound. The new album, 'Working Parts', is an example of this. The opening song, "Building", has the sound and feel of a great Woody Guthrie song, put through a cool filter of Simon & Garfunkel. Give it a listen and tell me if you agree.

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That is followed up by "What It's Worth", which might carry a thought the Folk greats might have echoed, but the sound has a strong Pop vibe, with a sassy side. There is something very Buffalo Springfield, but mainly, I hear Sean's strong voice. There is a militaristic feel to "Time and Space", a futuristic drum snare leading the beat, and the cadence of the vocals in strict adherence to it. For "40,000", Sean returns to his acoustic guitar, taking on social issues with a wry smile. His view of modern society cannot help but make you laugh, and think about a few things that might have escaped notice before. Sean continues his commentary with "Ready for the Raid", a darker look with a feel that is more grim than witty. But there is a strength to be found in Sean's words and in the human spirit, for he is ready to stand along with us all as we make it through the tests that are on our path. Sean comes back with humor a critical eye for "I'm Mother Earth, Bitch!". The song, which needless to say is the Mother of us all reminding us whose planet we live on. It ain't Britney nor any other pretender, that is for sure. While it starts off with a sweetness, soon you realize "Legalize It" is making a political statement on a couple of subjects that have been pressing lately. Whether looking at a natural substance found growing, or a love felt deep in your heart, is it time to "Legalize It"?

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There is a beautiful feel to "Way of Life", a ballad with a Burt Bacharach feel. And Sean feels quite comfortable giving us Dione Warwick realness, even if just for one song. There is something really refreshing with his Retro feel on this song. With the simplicity of a piano leading the way, Sean soon starts on "Joy". While there is a sober feel to it, it doesn't sound dark as much a introspective. That leads us to the title track, "Working Parts". We have no greater working parts than our hearts, and our minds, both of whom will always see us through. With good thoughts and love in our lives, how can we go wrong? In writing "The Last Dad Song", Sean takes a look at life growing up with a father who was wracked by the effects of modern warfare. When someone is affected so deeply, the tentacles stretch out to grip others in a tight hold. The last track on the album is "At Any Rate", a beautiful and touching song. I think there is noting I can add except to say check out the music video for Sean Kagalis singing "At Any Rate".

This is a wonderful album, with such a strong core of music and honesty. If you are looking to give yourself something for the holidays, keep this album in mind. There is a classic feel to it, like a decade from now you can still listen and relate to the songs and ideas offered. You can purchase 'Working Parts' from iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. To learn more about Sean Kagalis, visit his official website. You can also like him on Facebook, or follow him on Twitter.

Sean Kagalis • Songs From The New Depression

I am beginning to think I owe a decent part of my music collection to J.D. Doyle, his Queer Music Heritage site. This post is no exception, as I first heard about Sean Kagalis from J. D., which made me go looking. I quickly discovered the handsome out and proud singer/songwriter has a new EP out that I posted about a while back, but I wanted to investigate his prior release, 'Songs From The New Depression', out in April of 2011. I am very glad I did, for the album is chock full of joy, I needed to share it with you all.



"All Belongs" starts off the album with a bold sound combining a Country feel with bold Folk-style lyrics, talking straight from the heart, reminding us no matter what happens on your journey, it all belongs to the great human mosaic. Next we are hit with a sound reminding me of early-80s New Wave, stripped to the acoustic guitar. On the third cut, "Down The Drain", Sean turns to a bit of Power Folk Rock, a big sound like Bruce Springsteen to tell a folk tale about life in this country in this broken day and age, the powers that be who have allowed the country to go down the drain. With "Okay", Kagalis again points at politicians who just want the people to ignore the problems and issues, and take their word that it will be okay. Next, Sean puts a bit of polish on the Punk sound with "There". While there might not be a shared feeling, Kagalis addresses the shared experience we are having these days in "Going Through". While the journey might be similar, how we handle it sure can vary. Here is a live performance of the first track, "All Belongs."



The vivid & lush Pop feel for "Same" is impressive, and speaks to how we all have problems and issues to face. For "Where To Go", Sean takes a soulful take on a Pop anthem. He asks how we handle life in this difficult time. "Jacked" opens with a ethereal feel that soon shifts into drive with a bold acoustic guitar. The song talks about trusting in yourself. We need to stop putting our power out for the taking. Kagalis offers up "Proof" that no matter how discouraged you might feel, you need to know that it does get better. Just hear the voices of people like Sean (and other LGBT performers) for the proof we can't let the opinions of others hold you down. When the piano starts in on "Cremating Care", I will admit is was a change from the guitar-driven sound. The piano lends a nice weight behind the lyrics, asking everyone to offer love and care to one another, even if some of those in power want to take caring and love out of life. We must remember to look to those who walked before us, not those standing still to form a wall. The piano on "The House" adds a sweeter, warmer tone to the song. Kagalis reminds us that while some might be struggling in this hard economic time, losing property does not mean losing love. Sometimes, the facade must crumble in order to see what is really the frame that holds us up. Our heart, and those we share it with is what makes a house our home. The cacophony that makes up the world around us is at the core of "The Loudness War". No matter the din around us, we must continue to listen to the voice inside. The album closes with "At All", which begins with an elegant piano. The song has an expansive feel as he reminds us that while we all hit jams on our journey, in the big scheme of things, those problems aren't so big at all.



I can tell you for sure that the journey Kagalis took me on with this album was a wonderful one, and I would highly recommend you take it, too. You can find 'Songs For The New Depression' on iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. For more about Sean Kagalis, visit his official website. You can also like him on Facebook, or follow him on Twitter. To read my review of his latest collection, 'Legalize It', click here.

Sean Kagalis • Legalize It

I discovered the music of Sean Kagalis due to the gracious sharing of amazing music by J.D. Doyle of Queer Music Heritage. After catching up with some of his music, I discovered he had a new EP on the way. So when Sean released Legalize It on July 10, 2012, I was really looking forward to hearing it. Sean is an out and proud singer/songwriter who has been making music from the heart since the late 1990s. His voice is bold and strong, with a sweet tone. His music has been been split up between very personal dialogues to bold political statements, not uncommon for an artist in the Folk/Rock genre. The EP kicks off with an acoustic guitar on the title track, "Legalize It". In the great Folk tradition, Sean addresses his thoughts on Herbal freedom, as well as marriage equality. The buoyant and joyous song calls to mind the work of some of my favorite folkies, from Dylan to Peter, Paul & Mary to Billy Bragg, scribing political songs with choruses that are so easy to get behind. If you can listen to this and not be singing along at the end, I don't understand how that is possible.



The second track, "All Crazy", addresses the world at large, and the relative sanity or lack thereof to be found there. That is followed by "Forgive Us Our Trespasses", which deals with the journey of those returning from wars of all kinds. As they return home, how will fife's journey changed them? As Sean slows it down with "New", he takes an introspective look. They say there is two sides to every argument, but there are times when things are not as black and white as that, a bit more gray. If you weren't sure before, you will after the beautifully sung "Both". And when life is as tenuous as a roll of the dice, you have to be grateful when you are coming up "Even" or better. This amazing song shows off Sean's voice beautifully.



This is a fantastic six-song collection, one I am very happy to take a spot in my iTunes. You can purchase Legalize It on iTunes and CD Baby. For more about Sean Kagalis, visit his official website. You can also like him on Facebook, or follow him on Twitter.