Casey Stratton - Standing At The Edge

Casey Stratton is the most enjoyable CD I have listened to in years; at first listen you might think you are listening to a combination of Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan. However, after further investigation you realize you are not even listening to a woman but a man. Casey Stratton's lyrically-driven CD "Standing At The Edge" is amazing. The Piano and basslines are so melodically intertwined that you almost feel as if you are traveling on a musical melody to heaven.

I have played this for many of my friends and all of their reactions were the same... "Wow!" To put it in one word or less. Casey's voice is so distinct that you can feel his emotions through his words, you almost feel the pain in a couple of the songs. However if you don't read or listen to the lyrics, It can be just an amazing background to a relaxing evening at home.

Out of all of the songs on his 12-track CD. "Blood" is my most favorite. His voice is at its most intense in this song, I caught myself several times while listening to this song singing along.

Casey combines rock, pop, and classical music into a combination that is unlike anything I have heard in a long time.

So many artists of today mostly sing about "love," while he actually incorporates 'life' and the lessons that he has learned in his own life.

In the song "Harvest," my favorite line is "you race toward something, you don't know what you'll find. But you'll notice it, when you see it, you say, there must be more out there, waiting silently, you know your place, but you hate it just the same, so leave before the harvest." I'm not sure why these lyrics hit me however but they did. Sometimes you need a boost in life to make you realize there is something better out there or life will get better. Typing out those lyrics do no justice to the song. Casey's voice brings such meaning and life to the words. Even though some of the songs are not the happiest his voice tends to give you this lift which is amazing.

"Standing at the Edge" is almost comparable to Tori Amos's "little Earthquake" album which I held very high regards for back in 1992. Casey however has a voice that you will not soon forget. I have been listening to it for about two weeks now and I'm still amazed every time I put the CD on. The range of emotion mixed with an amazing musical background will not leave you unsatisfied.