The new release We’ll Answer the Call from singer/songwriter John McDonough is the latest in a string of collections from the artist since leaving psychiatry ten years ago to pursue music full-time. Folk-flavored singer/songwriters are not particularly renowned for producing concept releases, but McDonough’s EP changes that. I wish it was longer. The Chicago-based songwriter manages to cover a momentous life in the space of five songs without ever leaving the listener feeling like he’s cheated them.
The story of Joe Rantz and the Washington Huskies rowing team capturing the Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics isn’t obvious fodder for such a release. He brings us into that world, however, with musicality and intimacy. “Shooting Star” lays out Rantz’s character for us, sketching him without ever belaboring, and other smart lyrical touches help flesh out the reality of his upbringing for listeners. I believe it is a further mark of the songwriting quality that it stands on its own as well.
McDonough has a sure hand writing love songs as well. The EP’s second track “Love You Just for You” is not your typical facile romp in this vein and furthers the narrative, but it also boasts an universality that will have a lot of fans. Teaming him with talented and soulful female backing vocals tops it off nicely. “Among the Stars” has the best chorus on a release full of them and beefs up the typically spartan arrangements powering these songs. McDonough, of course, does not go overboard and the addition of organ and a stronger lead guitar presence helps put this song over.
The drumming during the title song’s chorus pumps the song up with the right amount of urgency and I’m a big fan of blending slower verses with a striding chorus. It is a great fit given the subject matter. McDonough’s exploration of Rantz’s life reaches its peak with this song; throwing in a lyrical reference to Hitler’s presence at the Olympics is an example of how important specific details can provide a setting. Young songwriters take note.
“Point Me East” may be predictable for some. I finished hearing the preceding song for the first time fully expecting that McDonough’s next turn would be pushing the narrative decades forward to “show” listeners Rantz in his golden years. The lyrics are not paint by numbers, however, and highlight another of his greatest skills. His talent for finding a character’s voice is an increasing rarity in modern music and it’s convincing.
McDonough’s years working in psychiatry give him insights other songwriters can’t readily call on. This is gift enough, but he’s polished his writing to a brilliant glow capable of revealing emotions his audience can relate to, despite any difference in context. It is intensely human. It’s dazzling encountering such a “small” work condensing a human lifetime into an EP and it’s all the better thanks to its first class musical accompaniment. It is my first McDonough release, but We’ll Answer the Call will not be the last.
Heather Savage
