Bill Abernathy – “More Than Meets The Eye” – the narrative skills shine brightly here

“There’s more to this than meets the eye. Decisions based on biased lies. Determining who lives and dies. Whose freedom are lost. Whose justice is blind. There’s more to this than meets the eye.” These are the opening lines to Bill Abernathy’s track “More Than Meets The Eye”. Written during the pandemic lockdown period, the song is both an investigation and a case study, of how a narrative is twisted to suit the devices and interests of the narrator. Moreover the song is a sincere warning for all of us to listen and look deeper than the surface level when receiving information. Especially if we’re searching for dependable truths.

Corporate media and politicians come under heavy fire from Bill Abernathy, as he targets current events head-on:  “The pure misinformation. The mental masturbation. Talking heads ejaculate agendas. The facts are all negotiable. The talking points adaptable. Designed to keep their seats come this November.”

Bill further explains that concept behind those thoughts: “I find it very dangerous to have a group of self-classified “elites” who have convinced themselves and others they know what is best for everyone.”

No stranger to critical commentary, Bill Abernathy previously found success with his politically charged radio smash single, “Cry Wolf”, which has significantly contributed to his over 1 million music streams. “More Than Meets The Eye” is set to follow suit and substantially increase those numbers, while at the same time enlightening some obscured minds, which is equally as important, from my point of view.

The Kansas City, Missouri resident’s songwriting is extremely accomplished. Those who are willing to invest the time and effort to really immerse themselves within his songs will likely find that they’re well worth investigating, and that there’s usually more there than initially meets the eye (Yes, the cautionary phrase works for Bill’s songs too!).

As you’d expect with Bill Abernathy, the main interest is often lyrical, though the music is never far behind. This is due to his striking lyrical imagery, which inevitably overshadows everything else, no matter how good. Though Bill’s narrative skills shine brightly on “More Than Meets The Eye”, so does his guitar and voice, which adds definitive impact to the driving rock atmosphere.

Bill is joined by Max Berry (Guitars and Bass), and Thomas Freight Train Walker (Percussion) who apart from delivering a steady rock rhythm, introduces Native American drum patterns into particular passages. All of which is not casual, as Bill Abernathy himself explains: “I see many similarities between the way our Government has treated Native Americans and the restrictive government control concepts being proposed today.”

Overall the band is tight and the music flows as naturally as a mountain stream; the melody is intensely memorable. The lasting impression is one of urgency, as well as a lingering sense of exhilaration.

The cherry on top of “More Than Meets The Eye”, produced by Max Berry and Bill Abernathy for Enneagram Records, is the mastering by Maor Appelbaum (Faith No More, Yes, Yngwie Malmsteen and many others).

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