Although now residing in Ohio, the Texas roots of singer and songwriter Zach Parkman are as strong as ever on his newest album.
Parkman hails from Angleton, Texas, near Houston, but he's been a street musician in Austin, a member of a Christian rock band in east Texas and a guitar-playing Army private in the Middle East. Now living in Millfield, Ohio, his music still seems to draw from his diverse background.
His new album The Carpenter & The Chemist is a smooth mix of melodic ballads and country rock. Parkman writes the music and lyrics to all of his songs, and his ear for interesting chord progressions and vocal techniques sets this album above many other acoustic-driven artists.
Parkman's voice opens with a dead-on Lou Reed sound, but by the end of the album, he's hit everything from a gentle croon to a raspy southern twang. From years of singing, it's apparent he has learned to use his voice in all its ranges, even to the level of sounding like different singers.
The album is driven by acoustic guitar, but don't let that fool you into thinking Parkman is just another quiet coffee shop singer. There's a strong country rock presence in every song, and Isabel has a laid back jazz feel with influence from Jack Johnson. Some of the drumbeats sound mechanical and inorganic for Parkman's relaxed style, but The Sun Will Rise does see the welcome addition of conga drums.
His lyrics are soft-spoken and mature, and it seems Parkman's life experiences have given him a good deal to reflect on. For fans of country and acoustic rock, The Carpenter & The Chemist is an enjoyable album that covers a lot of musical ground.
3 Culture
Aaron Krumheuer
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