Santa Cruz based artist Brock Davis keeps is keeping singer-songwriter folk and Americana alive with his latest LP, “Everyday Miracle.” The album consists of 13 songs that soar through the speakers with incredible amounts of emotions. These are songs of truth and reflection. Warm acoustic guitars and a vocal that always feels authentic and emotive is the centerpiece of each song. Brock Davis shows that he is a prolific songwriter that can strike a chord with just about anyone.
Gratitude is the essence of the title track. This song acts as a grand introduction to Brock Davis’ album and sound. Immediately, the listener is aware of the immense songwriting talents of Davis. A soothing vocal melody acts as a hook from the very first melody sung. He sings a gentle melody, “There’s a promise in these chords / There must be something more / Cause from nothing, beauty is born / A little proof / Of a bigger truth.” This song encourages the listener to return to the moment they are currently in and do some reflection.
These gentle guitars continue on the next song, “Keep On.” We hear a classic country sound with elements of gospel, including grand harmonies, and an organ’s hum. This is a significantly moving song, especially after hearing the story behind the inspiration. Davis wrote this song for a friend that he wanted to comfort. This person had just been through a very challenging situation and was dealing with their kid attempting suicide. Brock Davis saw the darkness in this situation and wanted to write an inspirational song that encourages those who listen to keep on keeping on. He did just that! Every note has the utmost emotion!
The next song is equally moving. “Make A Family” has a classic country sound to it. It shines in a minor key with a catchy hook melody and emotional lyrics. The lyrics of “Make A Family” are about a couple that has been trying to have a baby but keeps hitting a dead end road. They wonder if they should keep trying or call it quits. They realize that they already are family just the way they are. Things don’t always have to be so traditional. The story continues to unfold on the next song, “Rain Falling On The Water.” Slide guitars and gorgeous harmony vocals carry this song home.
My favorite song on the record is called Rain Falling On The Water. It’s also a story song, but I guess it’s my favorite because it has several layers of meaning – both literal and metaphoric. On one level, the story is about travelling home after many years away, to attend the funeral of a parent. And the song describes that literal journey home and the casting of the ashes. But on a deeper level, the chorus, which goes: “We are rain, falling on the water/ These sweet days are all we got here / We are rain, falling on the water / Coming home again” refers to our spiritual journey home. The place where I grew up, on the west coast of Canada, is a very wet, rainy place, so it’s no surprise that this metaphor seemed like the right one to me to describe the essence of life’s journey. – Brock Davis
The mood and the pace pick up for “You’d Think I’d Know By Now.” This song has more of a cliché country song. It’s a familiar sound that combines rock n’ roll and Americana. It’s a sound that most people resonate with because of its familiarity and strong hook melodies. Plus, the song has a feel good vibe to it from start to finish.
One thing that we really love about Brock Davis is his ability to write songs that are relatable to many different life situations. Usually, these topics are not covered in music. Brock Davis sings about bringing a new love interest around his family and how she won’t replace their mom or try to be someone she is not. He soothes their fears and perhaps his own with, “I’ll Always Be Your Dad.” This tender song will surely strike a chord with anyone who has recently found themselves in a similar situation.
Brock Davis sings about another topic that most people shy away from in “It Takes Just One.” This song is about sexual harassment that happens in the workplace. Brock Davis describes a situation that is all too real for so many people. This song encourages others to speak out about workplace harassment, letting them know that they can make a huge difference in someone’s life by raising their voice.
“Give Forgiveness” is an honest portrayal about growing up in a dysfunctional household from having an alcoholic father. Even though Brock Davis will never understand why his father has behaved like this, he has forgiven him so that he could free himself, heal, and move on. He does express his gratitude for his father teaching him guitar. The organs are my personal favorite musical touch on this song.
“The Warrior” is about the changing times. Set in Wyoming, this song paints the true story behind the photograph of a career salesman who found his love of photography after being laid-off and replaced. “He recognized he had something in common with the old horse that had been forced out of his band by a younger challenger. They were both warriors in their own ways,” Davis says. This is a classic folk song with great storytelling lyrics. In this song, every single word sung matters.
The record takes a rock n’ roll turn for “Ready for A Good Time.” Davis let us know that he wrote this song during the pandemic’s shelter in place days. It’s about wanting to change up the pacing and go back to life the way it was before. This song features some excellent honky-tonk style pianos!
All the songs were fun to record. When you’re working with such a killer, talented band, listening to the songs come to life in just a few takes is one of the best feelings in the world for a songwriter. However, I will say… we were at the end of the recording day and we’d recorded all the songs I’d prepared. I had one last song ready just in case we time. I wasn’t sure about it, because it was quite different than the rest of the songs. So our challenge was to make it sound like it fit in with the rest of the tracks. And it just flowed… two takes and we had it. That track was “Ready For A Good Time”. I love the rootsy, Rolling Stones type of vibe we got on it. – Brock Davis
The next three tracks are beautiful love songs. First we dive into a beautiful ballad, “September Rain.” This track features beautifully picked acoustic guitars. Listeners will feel the warmth and the love. This is a stunning portrayal of first love. The next song is a proposal. “Angela (Please Say Yes)” is a piano ballad, and it’s the way that Brock Davis asked his wife to marry him. Of course, she said yes! The final track on the LP are his vows. This one will surely make all who listen tear up!
The LP is being released one sung per month. The next song will come out in just a few days on streaming platforms. If you would like to hear the LP now, it can be purchased on Brock Davis’ website: https://brockdavismusic.com/store
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Written by Ryan Cassata
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