Chris Koza - Patterns

Singer/Ssongwriter Chris Koza’s self-released sophomore album reveals a man truly growing in his craft, with an insight into the soul that translates fluidly into musical lyric often rising far above the song that supports it. Not that the music wholly fails to carry that poetic prowess, but at times during this collection it does diminish the story. One would never expect the sweet melody of the title song to be a background for the sad reflection of a difficult, ultimately failed relationship (but then of course, how many people have spent their existence believing "Wrapped Around Your Finger" by The Police was a love song?). Additionally the full mastery of Fear of Mimes is somewhat lost in the complex transitions of its musical composition. But the fact this is the biggest setback that I could find within this collection makes the occasional small stumble in composition a quite distant consideration in the overall accomplishment of Patterns. Especially having recognized that the music itself shows an aptitude that one would not necessarily expect from the genre’s typical artist and is more possibly an experiment in musical growth than anything. After listening to tracks from Exit Pesce (Koza’s first album), which won him numerous awards and accolades in his “hometown” of Minneapolis (he was born and raised in Portland, OR), it is clear that this young artist is only beginning to tap into his potential. Patterns is, quite frankly, a much more solid album overall than many of the releases of his modern-day counterparts; artists who have gone on huge success in the mainstream. I would imagine that we can expect great things from Chris Koza in the coming years and consider Patterns a definite “must acquire” for anyone regarding themselves a connoisseur of folk/pop music. This album provides a fresh experience for the listener that is wholly satisfying, yet builds anticipation for what lies ahead. [www.chriskoza.com]