Three

Three (2009) completes an “unwittingly written” trilogy (Over and Over Again 2003, Guinea Pigs on a Scaffold 2005) that tells a story with heart-rending honesty, intimacy, and humor. The songs speak of the loss and redemption, the abyss and the summit, the rise, fall, and resurrection of love. Three songs on the album that capture this idea best are Hey Venus(5), Winter is Fading(6) and Change(11). Is Anybody Comin’ Around? (1) is a song of leaving home and When I was a Kid(7) is a reflection that looks back on growing up and the intricacies of how one’s perspective changes. Breakdown(2) is a thought-provoking commentary on the state of things. Hipsterese(13) balances this commentary with a few quirky pokes at modern culture and the realization of how pop music, it’s promotion and appreciation, is saturated with superficial “cheese”. Mumblin’ and Bumblin’(12) describes, with good humor, Munhall’s seemingly endless grappling with God. In Three Days/Too Close for Comfort(3), the storyteller seems to split himself in two and answers himself with his alter ego. The depth of the writing can easily be missed on the faster songs, but Munhall’s delivery is clear and distinct on this record. Throughout Three, Munhall uses the buzz word “change” in such a way that is more personal than the way we’ve been accustomed to hearing it. For Munhall, what’s on the outside reflects what’s on the inside.

From a recent review…

“From White Stripes-y acoustic blues screamer "My Baby Came Back" to the orchestral "Change," a work reminiscent of Paul McCartney and Andrew Bird, Three reveals Munhall as the kind of pop songwriter you and your parents can agree on. He's classy in many senses of the word - polite and well-groomed, but also smart, sophisticated and capable of writing songs that bridge the generation gap.
Many pianists allow their instrument to dominate their songwriting, but Munhall's skill as an arranger comes to the fore spectacularly on the new album. Every sound gets its spotlight, from the screaming slide guitar on "Breakdown" to the whispering hi-hat on "Hey Venus."” Chris Deville Columbus Alive

This album includes the work of many musicians including Jon Fintel (owner/engineer) at Relay Recording, Matt Paetsch (OSU jazz Alum) on bass, Jack Knuttila on drums, Larry Cook (JAG) co-arranger, Stan Smith (faculty Capital) Classical Guitar, Jim Powell (CJO) on Flugelhorn, Erin Gilliland (CSO) on Violin, Peter Case on Cello, Kevin Bourassa (Capital Con. Alum) on Trumpet, Heather Beers (Capital Con. Alum) on Contrabass, Tom LoSchiavo (Otterbein alum, NYC, back-up vocals).

Track Listing
1.) Is Anybody Comin' Around?
2.) Breakdown
3.) Three Days/Too Close For Comfort
4.) It Takes Time
5.) Hey Venus
6.) Winter Is Fading
7.) When I Was A Kid
8.) Stringtown Waltz
9.) Green In The Morning
10.) My Baby Came Back
11.) Change
12.) Mumblin' and Bumblin'
13.) Hipsterese

Lyrics of selected songs from Three
Coming soon…