Just months after the release of Domestic, Adam Baxter is back with a surprise intimate collection of acoustic tracks. Recorded in a single day and bringing nothing to the table but his voice and a single guitar, Open And Shut is a true testament to Baxter’s talent as a musician.
The album is a collection of live covers of his previously-released tracks. It notably includes a handful of songs from his latest album, “Keep Safe,” “Walls,” and “Don’t Exit.” These acoustic versions strip away so much from the originals while still keeping intact the raw emotion that Baxter excels at portraying.
For the most part, the selection he’s chosen builds a peaceful atmosphere. It’s full of oceanic imagery, as is usual with his lyrics. Every song is a calming serenade.
That’s why the one original on this album stands out, in more ways than one. If you’ve never headbanged to an acoustic track before, “Knife Fight” would be the one to get you started. It’s a sudden shift in gears, intense in all the right ways. Desperate strumming backs aggressive vocals from Baxter. The wails are reminiscent of Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy, and it works in a way you’d never expect upon starting this album.
A sudden splash of cold water, and we’re back to what we’ve grown accustomed to. Baxter is a master at lulling listeners into a false sense of security and familiarity, while also keeping them on their toes and showing he’s got a few tricks up his sleeve.
The overall lack of production on this album and the details of its genesis really solidify Baxter‘s talent. Not many artists could pull off an entire album in a single day with as much grace as is present in Open And Shut, but Adam Baxter has certainly succeeded.