Music: Adam Fitz - Between The Incident And The Event

Artist: Adam Fitz
Album: Between The Incident And The Event
Label: Is What You Make (self-released)
Released: 2005

Review: A lot of people in Chicago will tell you that the music scene here is one of the best in the country. I would disagree. Instead, I would say to you, that some of the best music in the country comes out of Chicago. As for cohesive "scenes," there are very few outside of the jazz scene. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of perfectly respectable talents, enjoyable bands, and interesting aural creators in this city, but it takes a bit of digging to find the greats sometimes.

That's why I'm here. To help you find the greats creating music here in Chicago.

Adam Fitz may just be one of those greats.

His debut album, Between the Incident and The Event, gives the listener a simultaneously diverse and cohesive sampling of his talents.

The most striking thing about Adam's music is the strength and passion of his voice. Soul singer, folk storyteller, country rocker and melodic screamer, Adam puts every inch of his pain and joy into his music.

Between the Incident... is the first solo album from a born and bred Chicagoan who demands to be heard far beyond the borders of this midwestern metropolis.

The first track, Last Summer is reminiscent of Rod Stewart before he became forever young. Instead of innocence and aimless meandering, the song announces from the get-go that Adam has put in his time strumming, singing and writing. You know this album isn't going to be your typical self-absorbed rumination on what it means to grow up. The songs on this album are nothing if not mature and insightful photographs from someone who has been through a lot of pain already and realizes that the first step to getting through it all in one piece is to realize that it won't stop. Childhood is over and it's time to get the desk job or chase those dreams until your legs give out. Lucky for us, Adam's legs, much like his vocal chords show no sign of slowing.

The next three songs are slow and swaying portraits of memory and nostalgia that display the same maturity and determination to hang on to the past and keep forging into the future.

The highlight of the album comes directly in the middle with When My Numbers Come In. A powerful Honky-Tonk anthem dedicated to small town (or South-Side Chicago) listlessness and the hopes of getting out from where you are while still clinging to what you know. Adam's voice is powerful and poignant on this track and the beat dances with the other musicians to create a song you'll want to listen to every morning just to start your day off right.

The final standout track on the album has to be 'Chicago In The Fall' which recently was broadcast across Canada on CBC's Roundup. Keeping with the regional and ubiquitous nature of this album, I find it poetic that this love song to a certain time and place was chosen to be played on another country's airwaves.

Each song on the album, however could easily be turned into a single. Rare for a self-released album. Despite all of this, the framework in which the songs are laid out couldn't be better. Family, loss and friendship are common themes throughout the eleven songs and at times will make your soul weep at their beauty.

Featuring a wide cast of Chicago musicians who many from the Windy City will recognize and marvel at, Between the Incident and The Event is an impressive undertaking even outside of its status as a debut. Playful and heartbreaking lyrics reminiscent of musicians as varied as Elliott Smith and Willie Nelson make this album say only one thing: Adam Fitz is going places.

I've had several friends who play in bands and occasionally release an album or an EP, but Adam is the only one who I am certain will be around for a while, steadily cultivating a fan base. So, when Adam is selling out venues around the world, just be sure to remember where you first heard about him.

Experimental and toe-tapping, Between The Incident and the Event will garner fans from all walks of life whether it is your whiskey-sipping grandfather or your kid brother who is just realizing that MTV is aimed at the Lowest Common Denominator of music fans.

In addition to the quality of the music, also of note is the beautiful packaging and insert artwork by Zach Taylor, whose other works can be viewed at Chicago's Linda Warren Gallery in the Fulton Market neighborhood.

Tracklist:
1. Last Summer
2. Once Again
3. One Of Them*
4. Feels Like Home
5. When My Numbers Come In*
6. Used To
7. A Scene In The Streets (She Hopes)
8. There
9. Summer Can Wait
10. Chicago In The Fall*
11. Put It On The Line

* Standout Tracks

Rating: 4.9 / 5

Listen to four songs from the album at Adam's Myspace Page

Buy the Album (US customers)

Buy The Album (Worldwide Customers)