[rating=4.50]
North Carolina singer/songwriter, John Mark McMillan, is a relatively unknown name recalling vocal comparisons to Ryan Adams with a fresh new sound that blends americana, indie and country. McMillan’s major label debut, The Medicine, combines his unpolished rock-n-roll with anthem-style choruses and spiritually charged lyrics that we will call “Sacred Twang.”
Songs such as the Neil Young influenced, The Medicine, and the acoustic elevating anthem of "Skeleton Bones" feature the diverse musical styles of McMillan. McMillan’s strong point is his emotional lyrics and vocals on songs like the subtle resurrection tribute, "Death in his Grave," to the stirring melody of "Dress Us Up." Rootsy tracks like the "Philadelphia" and "Ten Thousand" display McMillan’s Americana influence, while lyrically you have to dive into this music and listen to the lyrics to really understand the subtle meanings and purpose of McMillan’s songs. Standout tracks on the album are the eloquent ballad, "My Only" and the inspirational anthem "How He Loves" which is a song McMillan wrote after the death of a childhood friend and his positive reflection on that situation. John Mark McMillan’s The Medicine is a welcomed recording in the current music world with his genuine music that offers an absolute must have for any music lover searching for “real music.”
