#eric lapp

Song Review: The Steel Wheels - “This Year” (Live)

“This Year” could’ve been a great song.

A cappella and featuring four-part harmony, the single from the Steel Wheels’ Over the Trees (July 12) derives its beauty from its simplicity. Its words wishing peace, healthy marriages and strong children are nice.

But then things get weird.

Your cat is grateful for your friendship/he is effusive with his praise/he runs to you when you call him/these are the good days, the band sings.

It’s at this point the listener realizes the opportunity missed - “This Year” could’ve been a great song.

But it isn’t. And now the melody is used up on a mediocre track which, even live, misses the mark.

Grade card: The Steel Wheels (Live) - “This Year” - C-