Kenny Bissett– Broken Wilderness
I found Kenny Bissett’s debut solo album, Broken Wilderness, while searching for new music to review. Kenny Bissett is an artist, producer, and songwriter from San Antonio, Texas. He is also the vocalist for the San Antonio progressive rock band, Built for the Future.
Kenny plays all instruments, including: guitars, bass, and synthesizers. He also creates and programs drum tracks for all of his songs. Kenny, of course, is also the lead singer on his solo album.
According to Bissett, “The theme across the songs is multifaceted, including the ideas of hope, self-reflection, and a renewed awareness of both the world I live in, and the life I have lived and will live.” Bisset states, “My goal is simple – to share my songs. At this stage of my life, the idea of “rock-star” is long gone. It’s certainly an enticing endeavor, but given the state of the world and the music industry, I’m happy to write and release my own songs. I have a day job and I’m close to retirement anyway, so this is what I do to stay happy!”
Bissett’s voice is hard to compare with any other artists. He sounds, maybe a little, like Aldo Nova. In fact, the first track off the album, “Overload”, reminds me of the sound of Aldo Nova’s music. Which is not a bad thing at all. “Overload” is full of that wall of U2 guitars or what I remember well, being, his sound, from the Aldo Nova albums I own. It is interesting and complete music, full of bass, electric lead guitar, keyboards and drum programming. The acoustic guitar is excellent and the backing vocal tracks he uses makes it sound like a complete band. The keyboards near the middle, with spiraling lead electric guitar have that Aldo Nova sound that so attracted me to his music in the past. Off to a fantastic start!
“Drawing Shadows”, has some interesting guitar riffs and bold bass at its opening. Then, Bissett sings, “Was I ever here? Did I ever live? Will I ever try? Will I ever die? To what do I owe this time? To whom do I owe my life?” Great lyrics of search and discovery. Bold acoustic guitar work, mixed with blazing lead electric guitars; adding beautiful layers as the song builds; like someone adding years and experience to their life. Excellent concept, well performed.
“Now”, is full of brilliant keyboards, like Christmas lights, lighting the way at midnight. The acoustic guitar adds warm moments to a bold, progressive track focused on making the moments in the present count. Excellent.
“Lost”, opens with soft acoustic guitars. A perfect morning track, and a nice, well-placed break in the heavier start of the album. A wonderful, life-pondering song, that reminds me of Pink Floyd and ELP mixed well, with some Genesis thrown in for good measure. The soft, flute-like keys are a perfect addition.
The title track, “Broken Wilderness”, opens with bold lead electric guitar and percussion. Then drum programming ensues with Bissett singing, “What’s in this broken wilderness? What feels like lightning through my chest? I’m moving forward every day”. The guitar soloing towards the middle of the song is exemplary. The drum programming fits well with the swell of the guitars, rising like a wave. The keyboards pick up after, and continue the sweeping rush of the ocean of sound.
The keyboard and synth opening on “Awoke”, will take you back to some of the best of the music of the 1980s. Sounds fantastic. Best on the album, so far. Bissett sings, “They always remind you. They always define you. How can they know these things that only I should know? I am the ocean. I am the breeze”. Then, some soft, well-punctuated lead guitar. I really like Bissett’s final lyrics, “The world is tomorrow, and you will be broken, if you’re not awoken”.
“Landslide”, has an upbeat tempo, despite the title and some of the lyrics. Bissett sings, “Landslide around me, I can’t see my city”. He even modulates his vocals for a cool effect. Another engaging song.
On “Your Chance”, Bissett sings, “I wanna be brave. Don’t wanna be ashamed. I wanna see the rain. Don’t wanna be in pain. Take the world in your hands and make the most of your chance”. Reminds me of some of the great advice offered by Tears for Fears and others from that era of rock.
“Sometimes”, is full of more cool, creative keyboard and synthesizer sounds, at its opening. In fact, some of the best on the album. Unique and full of warmth. In between the keys and guitar work, Bissett sings some excellent, inspiring lyrics, “Sometimes I can see. Sometimes I am free. Sometimes I believe. Sometime I will be”. One of the best songs, on an album of hits, no misses.
“Hope Hear Me Now”, is a great song, that calls out to hope, to save us from the sad times, that we are experiencing from the effects of this epidemic, the world is passing through daily. A cry for hope, set to excellent, inspiring music.
“Mourning After”, is full of powerful drum programming. The electric guitar work is unique and inspiring. The keyboards are very effective at drawing on emotions, during this song.
“World Around Me”, is the closer and it is a powerful statement on the ecological state of the world. Bissett sings, “Why can’t I feel the world around me? Why can’t I see the world around me? Is it just too late?” The accompanying keyboards and guitarwork, remind me of some of The Mission’s last album, Another Fall from Grace. Good stuff, indeed.
I am so glad I reached out to Kenny Bissett to review, Broken Wilderness. It was a wonderful experience listening to this solo album. I am definitely interested in previewing some of his work with his progressive band, Built for the Future. The song, “Built for the Future”, from the band The Fixx, was always a favorite, after all. Engaging music played professionally and well-crafted, lyrically. Get this album and enjoy hearing some new sounds mixed well with powerful lyrics.
Track List
- Overload – 5:16
- Drawing Shadows – 4:34
- Now – 5:12
- Lost – 4:00
- Broken Wilderness – 8:34
- Awoken – 4:40
- Landslide – 4:08
- Your Chance – 3:56
- Sometimes – 5:24
- Hope Hear Me Now – 3:10
- Mourning After – 5:40
- World Around Me – 8:08
https://kennybissett.bandcamp.com/album/broken-wilderness
https://builtforthefuture1.bandcamp.com/