By Joe Vickrey
For any under-a-rock dwellers just joining us, Samuel Charles concerts are one of Provo’s must-see attractions next to dirty sodas and hiking the Y. In fact, I even had to fend off another writer on our team to review this album (sorry, Joe Metro). Returning with his highly anticipated second full-length LP, All The Light That Shined Before, Samuel Charles and co. beam as bright as ever.
Starting off the collection, “December 26th” is an inviting view into the valley’s less-than-inviting end of the year weather. The instrumentation feels especially magical as acoustic and electric guitars dip in and out of focus along with harmonica and keys. It sets the stage for Samuel’s most fleshed-out work to date. An optimist with a half-empty glass, the song could be summarized with the lyric, “Storm clouds and rainy weather. We both need something better than good times past.”
On Instagram, Samuel once mentioned how “Tomorrow Morning” felt outside his comfort zone, and I think that’s where the best art is often made. The track feels intimate and endearing like a love letter found in an attic shoebox. It made me question if the words were even meant for my ears to hear… But how could I think of turning away regardless? The emotion in lyrics that wistfully drift between what was and what’s not yet to come as they tug my heartstrings raw.
The textures and instrumentation of All The Light That Shined Before make for an exciting addition to Samuel’s catalog. The layered harmonies and bouncing lead guitars of “Cold Shoulder” are the perfect display for the expansion on Charles’ already excellent band-leading skills. There’s plenty of ear candy throughout the album that kept me coming back for more, but this track specifically feels like the instruments dance in the mix around the lead vocal.
Dynamic sweeps are something that I’ve always considered the Samuel Charles Band to excel at live, and it’s nice to hear it on the record. Moments like the harmonica solo on “A Hole Inside My Heart” where the rest of the group duck down feels especially charming. It can be easy to lose that sense in the realm of recording, but it feels like you’re in the room with the band in an intimate venue. The group can jump from hushed to lush and full in a matter of bars, and it’s always stays sweet.
Charles’ voice sounds as perfect as ever. Whether on record or at a Java Junkie event, I’m always amazed at how effortless he makes singing appear. His pitch and delivery are always so smooth. As someone who has the same singing voice as Tim Robinson, I think it’s just not fair.
As if the songs weren’t impressive enough on their own, Samuel did all the mixing and mastering himself. Producing is an album is a Herculean task even when you outsource the mixing duties, so to do it all? No idea how he does it. While Samuel did a fantastic job on the post-production, I can’t help but wonder how he’d sound paired up with Cold House Studio or June Audio to really crispen up the edges on some of the arrangements. No one needs to spend their life savings on a mix, but I definitely consider his songs worthy of an expensive production to help them stand out in a more global audience.
All The Light That Shined Before is a wonderful listen from start to finish that deserves praise for its raw emotion and lush compositions. Straight from the heart of Provo, it’s a folk-adjacent love letter signed and sealed from our very own Samuel Charles. Perfect for decompressing after a long day, take a few moments to stop and enjoy this striking sunset soundtrack while it’s fresh off the presses.
Be sure to follow Samuel Charles on Instagram and check out “Exodus” below!