Description
The Imposter is an album by the American singer and songwriter Kevin Max of dc Talk fame, released on Northern Records in October 2005. The album was recorded at Sonikwire and at Northern Records in Yorba Linda, California; with Andrew Prickett of The Prayer Chain fame producing. All songs written by Kevin Max, except “Platform” co-written with Dave Perkins, “The Imposter’s Song” co-written with Jason Martin of Starflyer 59, “I Need You, The End” co-written with Erick Cole, and “Confessional Booth” co-written with Andrew Prickett and Erick Cole. Also featuring a cover of “When He Returns”, a song written by Bob Dylan.
Kevin Max is a man with a history. Of course, having been 1/3rd of the mega rap-alt-pop group dcTalk, and selling millions of albums in the 90’s, Kevin spread his uninhibited musical wings with the 2001 release of Stereotype Be. His first solo album was a stunning piece of art, but found itself like a red-headed stepchild in CCM. This wasn’t particularly surprising to Max, or to any of his devout fans. Even at the height of dcTalk fame, he was always the odd person out…a misfit of sorts. But Stereotype Be was a brilliant cross-blend of alterna-pop, brit-rock and electro-euro, a prefect platform for Max to showcase his tenor. To this day, that album gets regular rotations from me. Then there was the Between The Fence & The Universe EP. Released on his own Blind Thief Recordings, this acted as a demo and a fan hold over until his follow-up full-length. The EP had a slightly edgy bent to it than the debut album, and Kevin’s cover (of a cover) of «Hallelujah» pretty much hammers out his place as one of rock’s male divas. And now, The Imposter. Let me be blunt. I admire the self-indulgence of Kevin Max. Everything from his face as the cover art (Dolour’s splendid Suburbiac looks similiar) to the over-the-top rocker poses on the inside to Kevin’s voice being referred to as the “manly vox box”. Somehow, Kevin’s edge finds a way to win. But the treasure of The Imposter is best heard in the songs themselves. Brace yourself for 2005 rocknroll. With the passion of Jeff Buckley and the soul of Bono, Max soars through 12 songs with his tenor bleeding regret, hope, love and salvation. «Confessional Booth» contains the best ever Max vox scream, and sets the pace for the ambitous rock anthems that follow. Northern Records recording artist Holly Nelson lends pivotal vocals to the title track, tying a fusion of new wave and arena rock together. The U2-esque chorus riffs of «Sanctuary» give Andy Prickett (of The Prayer Chain) a strong presence. Prickett also produced the record, ensuring that The Imposter would be the loud and brash statement that Max was hoping for. If you’re looking for a radio single, then look no further than «Your Beautiful Mind». This ballad finds Kevin at his vocal and lyrical best, and Frank Lenz conducts the string arrangements to perfection, slowly building to their grandious climax. Starflyer 59 front man Jason Martin is co-writer of «The Imposter’s Song», and his influence on it is bone chilling. Rumor has it that «The Imposter’s Song» was actually a discarded SF59 song that Martin had passed on to Prickett. Prickett in turn, gave the rough scetch to Max, who then wrote lyrics and added his own magic to it. Then…walla! «Stay» and «I Need You, The End» have all the pop sensibilities heard on Stereotype Be, and more so, giving The Imposter an incredible depth that is hard to fathom. Max might have taken his biggest chance on «When He Returns». Covering Bob Dylan in this fashion might be the only flaw in this electrifying album, although it also could be the album’s most ingenious moment. You couldn’t find a better song to fit the theme of Kevin’s sophomore effort, but the use of a very gospel flavored, piano only ballad is risky. However, Kevin finally sings this song the way it has always been asked to be sung. If anything, he might have slightly oversang it…that’s the self-indulgence thing I was talking about again. But I find it less a fault and more of an endearment. Kevin knows he’s over indulging, but do you really think he cares? And finally, Kevin saved some of the best for the last. «Fade To Red» is a must hear. From the guitars to the rhythm to the word play to the rockstar postering, this song is a gem. And once the song is over, be sure to hear the hidden song. I’m telling you, this record spares nothing. It’s powerful. It’s soulful. It’s incriminating. It’s bruised and bleeding. It’s Kevin Max as a rockstar. I have no doubt this record will become one of the most important of this decade. Hear it for yourself. [gtj, the black and white magazine, 2005]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-imposter/164599575)
CD tracklist:
01. Confessional Booth – 3:08
02. The Imposter – 3:47
03. Sanctuary – 3:54
04. Your Beautiful Mind – 4:15
05. Jumpstart Your Electric Heart! – 3:39
06. Platform – 4:42
07. The Royal Path Of Life – 3:39
08. The Imposter’s Song – 3:02
09. Stay – 4:21
10. I Need You, The End – 6:54
11. When He Returns – 5:00
12.1 Fade To Red – 13:37
12.2 Letting Go – 3:30
Note: Tracks 12 contains a hidden track at about 10:07. Available at Bandcamp: https://northernrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-imposter
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