Houston based singer/songwriter Robert Ellis follows-up his breakthrough 2014 release The Lights from the Chemical Plant with a self-titled set of melodic country-folk music that recalls the storytelling of Paul Simon, Randy Newman and James Taylor. This time around, Ellis self-produced the record and expands his traditional palette with elaborate arrangements featuring MIDI keyboards, string sections, ambient noise, and synths. Highlights include: a cover of Matthew Vasquez’s “How I Love You”; the 70’s AM sound of “California”; the country lament “Drivin’”; the Paul Simon-esque “Elephant”; the bittersweet “Amanda Jane”; and the closing track, “It’s Not OK.” Robert Ellis’s self-titled album is a poignant collection of confident songwriting, creative arrangements and strong musicianship. – Written by JFelton
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