Dennis Ellsworth has quite the collection of stellar albums under his belt. His latest, Things Change, is no exception. Boasting rich vocals as well as production from Joel Plaskett, the album marks a triumphant return in Ellsworth’s career.
Things Change is a testament to a life lived fully – a life brimming with adventure, love, revelation, loss. He sings of these topics with a voice that’s inherently honest. The entire album feels like a series of letters and snippets from Ellsworth’s life. This is enhanced by the fact that many of the tracks were recorded with very few takes.
Despite this, the album has a very deliberate production behind it. He explains that he approached the album as less of a collection of songs and more of a single framework. This is evident especially in the songs “Absent Mind” and “Caught In The Waves”, with the first flowing seamlessly into the second.
Each song is unique despite this framework. The tracks stand strongly on their own, but they share similarities in production, and the melodies all complement each other perfectly. So, while listening to any one track would be an enjoyable experience in itself, it’s almost a waste not to listen to the album front to back.
Many of the earlier tracks are pure fun. “She’s Never Wrong” is a cheeky tribute to a strong-headed lover that will make you want to dance and sing along. “I Need A Vacation” is short and sweet, not to mention relatable to anyone who feels the need to run away from their problems to a place in the sun. It’s the last track upbeat track before the album dips into a softer chapter.
The last of these songs is “Things Change”, the title track. For the most part, it’s slow and reflective, but it also marks the end of Ellsworth’s more acoustic-driven tracks on this album. The change is evident – towards the end of the song, things shift gears. The tempo abruptly picks up, more instrumentals are added. Instead of a forlorn reminder that nothing stays the same, it feels more like the musical equivalent of a shrug. Things do change, but Ellsworth isn’t going to stay sad about it. He’s going to take it in stride.
We end on a much lighter note with “Stoned”, perhaps the funnest track on the album and one that’s sure to quickly become a Canadian party classic. Despite the comical tone the song takes, it really is a hopeful note to end on. Ellsworth is stoned, all is well, and after finishing the track, you just might agree with him.