By Alix Cohen

American Sunset is a concept album written between Election Day November 5, 2024, and Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025.
Liquor and drug consumption increased, sleep became elusive, therapists Zoomed. Friends commiserated about rising prices, disappearing federal benefits, censorship, safety, bigotry, and corruption at an unfathomable scale.

Musician, singer/songwriter, (author, teacher,) Louis Rosen wrote songs. The artist is low key, articulate, wry, thoughtful, sad, and seething.

“American sunset/You can see it from here/Off in the distance/Yet perfectly clear/Controlling the message/A circle of lies/The limitless profit/That influence buys…” The tune evokes Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes, hypnotic, sinister.

“The Wheel Goes Round” is one of several spiritual takes on co0ntemporary times. “The debt we accrue comes due…the hour comes all too soon…Not a soul should feel immune…” It’s a hip, Bob Fosse dance, all sharp pelvis and splayed fingers. Fate waits with mawing jaw.

“Life On Earth” has similar feel. We’re the blink of a universal eye, a spec on the history of earth, it seems to say. Melody lulls. Tempo is like breathing; ‘ a mantra. “Our past lies in the ocean/The future’s in the sky…” Evocative melody.

Small, brightly painted circus cars disgorge endless clowns, defying all logic of spatial physics. Trump’s lackeys may not wear rainbow wigs and oversized shoes, squirt flowers and wield rubber chickens, but they’re as limitless, absurd, and obtuse as those confined to the big top. “American Clown Car March”/” The American Oligarch Clown Car March…” with apt percussion, describes the parade.

“Executive Orders” takes the vision further, emerging as a calmly spoken litany, its content familiar, cumulatively horrifying. ‘Dated events. Chinese water torture…Drip, drip, drip. Relentless. Vitriol is reminiscent of Brecht/Weil without excessive volume.

“Candice and Me”… “Wake up each day/And help out garden grow…” leans into a wellspring of love for comfort and confirmation. Feelings land softly like dew on grass. “Still, one and one make two…” Music dips and rises like a helix. Affection echoes.

On its tail “Gulf of Mexico” offers a romantic, hopeful vision of refuge, a rhythmic dance in the sand. Sound is decidedly north of the border. “Run It Back” expresses the inability to run away or even look away. So much for Mexico. Repetition evokes siege.

“And Still I Sing”…A song for you/To guide us through this day…” tracks back to Candice. Whatever happens we have each other. More hymn than ballad, the song is slow and tender. Backup vocals resonate.

Of the instrumentals: “Elegy” pairs funerary drums with delicate memories, rather as one might wish. “Tango for Charlie” is a smoky, sinewy dream. ‘Quite beautiful. Too short. An untitled epilogue feels like a walk in pristine nature, far from people. Like inhaling clouds.

Louis Rosen- CD: American Sunset
Music & Lyrics- Louis Rosen
Piano- Charity Wicks, Acoustic Bass- Pete Donovan, Vibraphone & Drums- Andy Blanco, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, & Arrangements- Louis Rosen
From November 7, the album will be available on all steaming p0latforms.
Until Thanksgiving, it will be free to stream on: https://louisrosen.com/american-sunset