Ken Block
Drift

Campus Correspondent Review By Hunter Embry,
Indiana University Southeast

Drift, the first solo album by Ken Block, is exactly what one would expect from the former Sister Hazel front man. The album is full of bittersweet pop love songs with catchy choruses. Throughout Drift Block’s vocals sit high above the rest of the mix showcasing his knack for writing pop songs that cross rock from the ‘90s with today’s country.

The album opener “To a Blind Man” is peaceful, simple and somewhat sad. Block’s voice is accompanied by serene female vocals, an acoustic guitar and piano. While his tone is reminiscent of Uncle Kracker, the song would fit well on the Once soundtrack.  The album picks up with “Completely Wasted,” a sophisticated college rock jam that hints at R.E.M. and Counting Crows in the height of its careers. The soft vocal melody describes a man looking up from the downside of life before Block takes off in the chorus singing, “Why did I choose to be like this? Are all these things predetermined to wreck me? I’m completely wasted.”