Edwin McCain: Scream and Whisper June 2004 By: Linda Spielman

Back in 1998, I was in Charlotte, NC visiting a friend who was on the road working for Matchbox Twenty. Sitting backstage after the show, I found myself having a conversation with a guy about my age, discussing music, travel and living in the South. I figured he was a friend of one of the guys in the band. He was very funny and I remember him saying how much he liked coming to my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA when he was on tour. I never asked my backstage buddy his name. But, later on that evening, while talking with my friend whom I had come to visit, he said, "So I see you were hanging out with Edwin McCain tonight." To my surprise, I had no idea who I was chatting with for the entire evening.

Having made a name for himself over the years on Adult Contemporary Radio and TV shows such as Dawson's Creek, where his music was featured, Edwin McCain's fourth CD entitled Scream & Whisper, released on June 22, 2004, is yet another valiant collaboration of simplistic, yet heartfelt, songs. The collection of fourteen tracks is consistent with McCain's stellar track record of songwriting. His songs are as charming as the personality behind them. Just as we hear of southern comfort foods, Edwin McCain's music is just that, southern comfort food for the ears.

The CD's first track Coming Down is a lively, upbeat tale of an astronaut-like character coming back to earth and realizing the importance of the simple and real things life has to offer. Whether it be the character portrayed in the song who comes back to earth, or McCain speaking for himself as one involved in an industry so caught up in the "it's all about me" mentality, the message of relying on those things which are true and real, as opposed to instant gratification, is well written.

Such other notable tracks include Good Enough, Wild At Heart, Save The Rain and Shooting Stars. The main underlying theme of this whole CD is not to look for happiness in material things and instant feelings of self worth and gratification. Step back, take a good look at what your life is already worth and enjoy the small but very important aspects of the general everyday, both good and bad. McCain not only utilizes his talent of compassionate yet realistic songwriting, but also incorporates romantic melodies along with musical arrangements that take the listener on a journey into themselves.

http://www.edwinmccain.com