Sam Brasko
Charlotte, North Carolina, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2021
Music
Press
Ghost in the Window
self-released; 2021
3.9 out of 5
By J. J. Thayer
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Sam Brasko’s journey to recording started with a live gig. Combining the success of that performance with inspiration from songwriters like Leonard Cohen, Brasko put his own pen to paper to write, and eventually record, the songs that landed on his debut EP, Ghost in the Window.
The disc grabs you right away with “Paper Skin.” Its bare-bones, live-room feel, featuring just guitar, bass, and drums, recall a classic Creedence record–swampy and bluesy. Brasko’s opening lyric is strong (”someone help the man who ripped your paper skin”), and he carries that all the way through, as a stream-of-consciousness, one-sided breakup conversation. His songwriting shows skill and sympathy, as he breaks the words across bars in unusual, yet pleasing and natural-sounding ways. In a nod towards modern recording, he’s included some nicely overdubbed guitar solos, with terrific tone. The arrangement includes a couple of false endings, supporting the unresolved nature of the paper-skinned relationship. It’s a great opening track.
The second track “Mockingbird” is a bit more produced, kicking off with layered string parts before moving a verse instrumentation similar to “Paper Skin”’s. The lyrics have engaging inner rhymes throughout, such as: “With all this damage done we've all but won / But that's no surprise to me / Well I thought I heard that mockingbird / Still singing his decree.” Brasko lays on another melodic guitar solo (again, with terrific tone), and caps the track with a bird-song whistle. It’s another winner.
The final cut “Works Well With Others” starts off with a bit of country-style fingerpicking before picking up the classic train beat. Brasko puts his own spin on things, though, by including cool alterations to the chords (some flat sevenths, flat thirds and sharp fifths) in unexpected spots. This works great, and he includes the occasional stop-and-start to keep things interesting while supporting the song.
If you’re a fan of those classic Creedence or country feels, you’ll enjoy Ghost in the Window, as Sam Brasko has channeled that raw, immediate feel onto the record. If you’re a fan of good songwriting, you’ll enjoy Ghost in the Window, too, as there are three gems here. Sam Brasko, please keep writing and recording–we need more of this! - Pitch Perfect
Discography
Ghost in the Window EP
1. Paper Skin
2. Mockingbird
3. Works Well With Others
Heart of Mine - Single
Gone Tomorrow - Single
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Bio
Originally from the Catskills of upstate New York, Sam Brasko now finds himself carving out his own piece of the Queen City of Charlotte, NC. With a combination of uniquely traditional blues guitar and biting lyrics, Brasko has given us a fresh perspective on what it feels like to be lost, confused, but strangely hopeful. Releasing his debut EP Ghost in the Window in November of 2021, Brasko officially threw his hat in the musical ring.
"If you’re a fan of those classic Creedence or country feels, you’ll enjoy Ghost in the Window, as Sam Brasko has channeled that raw, immediate feel onto the record. If you’re a fan of good songwriting, you’ll enjoy Ghost in the Window, too, as there are three gems here. Sam Brasko, please keep writing and recording–we need more of this!" (J.J. Thayer of Divide and Conquer Music). If you enjoy stories of lost love and hopeful acceptance, you're bound to find a piece of yourself in Brasko's music.
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