Tim Helmen Another Season CD

let me dance you a storywith pictures in soundlet me tug at the edge of your timethere's a moment of truth we can stealwhen we're partners in crimeThose are the first lines I sing on my new CD "Another Season." I wanted to begin with that song, "Dance You A Story", because it serves as a statement of purpose for my music--on this, my first CD and in all that's still to come.Because however much this frenetic, high-tech-obsessed, force-feeding, sensory overload culture might try to dictate the rules, I believe that together we can take a stand for a different way. I still believe that an intimate, personal acoustic performance of a good song has the power to change our pace and perspective... ...to invite us to spend some time in a place where humanity, thoughtfulness, and imagination are respected and given room to roam......maybe even to discover something new about ourselves and each other.That's the kind of place I tried to create for you with "Another Season."As I selected the material to include on this recording, I wanted a project that was more than simply a collection of assorted songs. I wanted a record that could be listened to and taken in as a single unit from beginning to end. I wanted lyrical and musical variety, a sense of no song sounding like another, yet all of them fitting together in a unified, coherent whole. So what I give you on "Another Season" is ten songs, presented with just my voice, and my guitar, recorded with a warm, inviting, intimate sound. Ten songs of searching...and being found.Won't you join me? There's a moment of truth we can steal.--Tim Helmen"Tim Helmen's CD gives you exactly what you get when you go to hear him live: voice, guitar, original, thoughtful songwriting. Hopefully you are paying attention to the lyrics as you're listening. Tim's lyrics offer insightful looks at the people and world around him, with a touch of inspiration."--Wendy V, Local Blend (www.wendyv.com)A reveiw from The Phantom Tollbooth (www.tollbooth.org):Minnesota has brought us some amazing songwriters and musicians over the years. From Dylan to Prince, the state has offered a wide range of abilities, styles, and talents. Lately, there has been a plethora of underground singer/songwriters that have formed a loose community between them. Most notable among these are Jonathan Rundman, Matt Patrick, Nate Houge, and Blaine Howard. Out of that community comes another performer in the name of Tim Helmen. His disc, _Another Season_, gives obvious nods to Dylan and Bill Mallonee, but also features a few more subtle influences as well. Vocally, he is a prototypical coffeehouse, acoustic guitar, easy to listen to type of singer. "Dance You a Story" is a Dylan meets Mark Knopfler type of piece. "Room for Cream" depicts a chance meeting between two people in a coffeehouse, and projects what might happen. "Unchallenged Echoes" is old school folk in the mode of Nate Houge or T-Bone Burnett. "When the Phone Rings" features a VOL guitar riff with more Dylan/Burnett style singing. "Run With the Saints" shows Helmen in his best Bob mode, but with better inflection and more tuneful vocals. "Long Shot", my favorite of these, is about rough life in a small town, and the inhabitants who cling to the tiniest sliver of hope they can find. Like many folkies, Helmen has a pleasant voice that doesn't overstretch, handles his guitar adeptly, and is at his weakest when reaching for higher notes. Another Season is almost an hour's worth of music that fits comfortably while reading, contemplating, or drinking coffee. Brian A. Smith 6/4/2005 3 1/2 out of 5 tockswww.tollbooth.org