Sam Green and the Time Machine
“For the Ocean” from Sam Green and the Time Machine’s I Think It’s About Time, like many other Green tracks, touches on a recurring theme. Green has a love for the natural world popping up throughout his songwriting; it isn’t a dominant subject but one that Green explores with unabashed sincerity. It takes on a faster clip than many of other Green’s far more patient performances though it never threatens to run off the rails. He invokes reverence for the song’s subject without slipping into pretentiousness and the lyrical sensitivity is memorable.
His songwriting skills are influenced by his poetic powers. Without question. Even a cursory listen to tracks such as 2018’s Baked Beans (432 Hertz)’s “Broken Hill” and “Drowning in a Sea of Life” from 2017’s The Time Has Come Again are heavy with repeated refrains, but there are powerful lines and evocative imagery laced through both songs. They gain extra potency thanks to his delivery; Green’s phrasing through both tracks has the sort of commitment that convinces listeners. The flamenco styled guitar during “Drowning in a Sea of Life” has physical, engaging clarity while never threatening to dominate the song.
Some of his most popular tracks are outright pop songs waiting for someone to cover them. “Carmella” from 2013’s Players All Are We has a great chorus and you can hear Green’s singing dig in with great zeal. The structure of the song is ideal for appealing to a mainstream audience and shows he can tackle straight-forward cuts without surrendering his artistic credibility. The album is among Green’s most adored. Four tracks alone are among his top 10 tracks on Spotify. “Angel of the Morning” is another gem
The mix of Latin percussion alongside improbable R&B touches helps make this a standout track. It is a song praising some ideal Muse figure, His paean to this elusive angel benefits from tasteful yet memorable guitar work. “Drowning in a Sea of Life” from 2017’s Love, Love, Love sports some five star acoustic guitar as well. There are two guitar tracks running throughout this song, but the lead guitar is not a constant presence; it places an artful exclamation point on the cut. The backing vocals, as well, sharpen its impact.
“Melbourne Town”, another number from 2017, provides one of Which Way Left’s peak moments. He has an unabashed willingness to write about his home, Australia, and the numerous examples of him invoking place are among the highlights on several albums. “Part 1: I Carry the Load” is the first track for 2018’s Ten Parts to the Journey and anyone who enjoys Americana will love this track. It’s a plan-stated lyric, its resentment held in check but present throughout, and Green’s singing conveys believable bone-deep weariness. Anyone hearing Sam Green and the Time Machine for the first time, if they like this sort of music, will be deeply impressed. Let’s hope platforms such as Spotify and reviews like this will get the word out and gain him the audience he deserves
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