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There's something about a songwriter wearing their heart on their sleeve and then singing about it while strumming a guitar that instantly appeals to me. Without a doubt, Andrew Osenga's second album bears some of the most heartfelt songs that I have heard in a long while.

The lead singer for The Normals, Osenga began doing his own solo thing once the band dissolved a couple years ago. Currently Osenga is also playing with Caedmon's Call in order to pay the bills, but in all honesty Osenga's music is far better than anything that the Caedmon's guys are churning out these days. Hopefully other people will catch on so he can do this full time.

Souvenirs and Postcards was written and recorded on the road as Osenga toured the country. The songs are very stripped down, consisting of only vocals and acoustic guitar aside from an accordion on "The Broadway Bartender" and a piano on "Baby, Don't Worry." The album opener "I Miss Those Days" creeps up on the listener as the meaning becomes more apparent. Osenga recently got married and this song contrasts the old days to married life. He concludes "I've got everything I'd ever needed / And half the things I'd ever want / I may miss those days / But if they came back I would miss you so much more."

Generally I'm not a fan of Stephen Delopoulos (formerly of Burlap to Cashmere), but the guest vocals he provides on the song "If I Had Wings I Would Fly" fit perfectly. The slow, sad tune finds Osenga realizing "I've forgotten what I need the most: the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost." The album closer "The Letter" ends the trip with the return home: "No one can be sad enough if they really look around / And no one can be glad enough of they really look around / Oh sad boy, oh glad boy, are you on your way home?"

One would be hard pressed to find a clearer example of strong songwriting from a Christian. Andrew Osenga is not afraid to take a detailed look at life and all of its joys and pains, but his songs don't forget to acknowledge the author of life.
 
Trae Cadenhead  5/24/2004