When it comes to the realities of war, the American songbook is certainly not silent on the topic. The majority of the sentiment expressed in such songs seems to lean toward the opposition of conflict and the inherent tragedy that comes as a result. Less seems to be said from the viewpoint of those on the battlefields, in the trenches or otherwise serving and doing their best to make good come out of the agony and suffering. Enter Dennis Ty. Presenting a collection of songs that serve as a document of such an experience and vantage point, Ty speaks firsthand from his fifteen months serving with the United States Marine Corps as a trainer of Iraqi border guards.
Whether it’s the shock and pain of witnessing tragedy up close, the glimpses of hope amidst the chaos, or the longing to be with family, A Long Way Home offers refreshingly balanced insight free of political spin or protest. In collaboration with multi-instrumentalist Jeff Muller (formerly of Occam’s Razor), Ty was able to put flesh and muscle on these songs that were written and recorded over a two-year period. The resulting sound is multifaceted with shades of roots rock, folk and country, and hints of blues and soul. Possessing a voice reminiscent of Darius Rucker, Ty delivers an album that fits comfortably between the sounds of Hootie & The Blowfish and Bruce Springsteen.
The lead off track, “Gonna Have,” combines country rock and a gospel feel with Oak Ridge Boys-like backing vocals. With optimism despite circumstances, Ty sings “gonna have war no more / gonna have a song that soars up the charts like a rocket ship up to Mars / gonna have a love that grows and a son that knows that his Daddy will make it home alive“. “Gonna Have” is gritty, hopeful and infectious with an energy that matches the lyrical expression. Ty then gets downright Hootie-esque with the upbeat “Baby Babe” as he sings of looking forward to being reunited with his lover. What is surprising is how effective and complete the song is, despite clocking in at less than two and a half minutes. With faint echoes of the Eagles and perhaps Lynyrd Skynyrd, the down tempo “Checkpoint Sarah” is the tale of a soldier responsible for “guarding the night”. Infused with a combination of acoustic strumming and southern-fried lead work, Muller’s guitar accompaniment is spot on. Further, Ty demonstrates his considerable vocal range as sympathetic backing vocals provide ample support.“In Children’s Eyes” speaks of the motives of war and offers incentive for resolution found in the hopefulness of children. Angela Pratt adds piano to Muller’s heartland rock to add brightness to the message of mankind “rolling up their sleeves and leaving the hatred behind”. The acoustic intro of Lil’ Girl” offers Ty an ideal foundation for his bittersweet story of a child and mother caught in the crossfire of conflict. Unexpectedly, the song transitions into roadhouse blues-rock that articulates a perspective closer than what is obtained by watching the news or reading a typical newspaper account. The lyrics are unsettling: “When your hopes and dreams and all your schemes flash right before your eyes / and the lows and highs of all the lives cut short if you die / but you see the end and your body in that burned out Humvee / and you know that coming home is not in your destiny / i am so afraid to go to sleep, then she holds my hand, the little girl on the street / Spread your wings little girl and fly away from this place”. With “Lil’ Girl”, Ty shares a tragic snapshot filled with graphic description, countered only by the chugging tempo.
“Back Home Time,” with lyrics quoting the title of the album, is Ty’s poignant and melancholic, stately centerpiece. Contemplating the geographical and emotional rift as he is “burning time in a strange land,” he imagines the day to day activities of his family in his absence. “Back Home Time” is a startlingly transparent look at what a soldier might be feeling while separated from his family. It’s as if the listener is getting a peek into Ty’s private journal. In the genuinely touching “Do You Think He Cries,” Ty wonders what God thinks as he sees violence, injustice and suffering. “Does He wish that we could be more like Him/Do you think He cries?” To say the message is challenging would be putting it mildly, yet Ty is careful to leave room for thought and consideration.
Supported by Pratt’s piano, “The Gardener” is a plaintive piece which seems to leave its lyrics to interpretation. Is God the gardener being referred to? That the song lends itself to such reflection is indeed a strong point. Ty ends the album with an exclamation point with the blues boogie of “Ameristan” as he sings about the sacrifices made in order for Americans to enjoy the freedoms that exist, and how such sacrifices are still necessary in order to protect us and help ensure stability in Afghanistan and Iraq. It seems only right that Ty would save his most political statement for the end so as to keep the attention of his audience with stories and themes of universal appeal, regardless of one’s opinions.
With a A Long Way Home, Dennis Ty delivers a fresh, yet familiar sounding body of songs that offers a rare, sensitive and passionate glimpse into a soldier’s journal.
Review by Mike Roots
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
