Battening the Hatches

Album Review

The young singer/songwriter by the name of Mt. Egypt breaks hearts on his debut album, Battening the Hatches. He doesn't mean to exactly, but while dodging comparisons to current emo balladeers with poignant lyrics, some heart will undoubtedly splinter — and mend. The reason why is because Mt. Egypt writes about nature and the spirits surrounding this world's most basic energy; it's almost healing. Positivity is Mt. Egypt's soul food, and he's hoping listeners will realize that it can be theirs as well. Battening the Hatches ebbs and flows with acoustic guitars and soft pianos, while Mt. Egypt's gentle Neil Young-esque vocals carry the album as a whole. But unlike Young, Mt. Egypt isn't sneering. Perhaps he's just too young to be in such a place, but songs like "S.A.Z." and "Song of Desperation" are dark, yet provocative and warm. He embraces what's soulfully moving ("Walnut Creek"), not leaving a whole lot of room for Battening the Hatches to suffer ("Say Alright") too much. Mt. Egypt is imaginative in crafting softness from the thickest branch, and it's a great result.