Country music constantly has a stream of new artists bidding for success and preacher’s son Marty McIntosh is no exception. A native of Seymour, Indiana, McIntosh has been writing songs and singing since he was six years old. Inspired by country greats like Merle Haggard, David Frizzell and Keith Whitley as well as rock stars like John Cougar Melloncamp, this passionate singer discover the kind of music he wants to sing. This is showcased in a straight-forward manner on his debut album The American Night.
McIntosh’s album shows promise despite some rough edges. The album opens with first single "The American Night”. An homage to both his country and rock roots, what he lacks in pure vocals he makes up for enthusiasm. The song expands on the theme of two young lovers wanting to blow their small town against a Midwest motif of rock guitar riffs, country flavored piano and a rousing delivery by McIntosh. Production issues are the biggest flaw of this song and the song sounds more like a demo than a finished product. “Ain’t Got Jack” is a humorous country song about losing everything and keeping the girl and the music has a great groove consisting of fiddles and a rumbling guitar. It’s definitely a song a lot of people can relate to in the current economy. Other upbeat songs include “Stupid Tax” discussing his misadventures against racing fiddles and gently strummed guitar.
“If It’s Broke, I’ll Fix It” is the first ballad and his vocals definitely rely more on personality and delivery than things like pitch and vocal tone. Yet, it grows on you after a couple of listens. He sounds like an average guy who just picked up a guitar and delivers a love song on the spot. If you like your country smoothed out with honeyed baritones then this guy isn’t going to be for you. On other ballads like “She’s Gonna Love Me Either way” he combines singing and talking so the whole thing sounds more intimate. “The Lawyer” is a song about giving up being a lawyer due to his conscious and moving into the country spending time with the family. Again, the delivery is ragged but he tells a good story. Songs like “Watch My Baby Move” is a cross of eighties country with a Springsteen-like energy on the vocals.
So while it’s difficult to predict if Marty McIntosh will find his way to stardom, he certainly has made some good moves on the path to do so. Likeable songs, passionate delivery and a distinctive sound all work in his favor. The music arrangements are very well done and the songs are accessible to the listener. His vocals could either work against him or in his favor. The fact is he has a lot more in common with someone like Bob Dylan or John Conlee than the more polished voices dominating country radio right now. Yet, he might be a nice breath of fresh air.
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