Gateway Online

Music doesn’t need to tell a story in the traditional sense. Musicians can accomplish so much with a simple change of a chord. The instrumental aspect may be more universally appealing than lyrics, but the latter allows people to connect to a singer’s personal story.

My Hands are on Fire and other Love Songs is Old Man Luedecke’s third album, and his most complete record to date. Although Luedecke’s banjo is very much the star of the show, the album sounds much more diverse with the addition of drums, and fiddle mandolin.

It may be a roots album, but don’t let that keep you from being surprised by his soaring voice and his contemporary lyrics. He tells you right in the title that these are love songs. From his tender lyrics and campfire voice, you can understand that he sings about this emotion because it’s the one worth living for.

Old Man Luedecke, I’m sure, can appreciate music that doesn’t tell a literal story, but from his unusual name choice (he’s actually quite young), one can understand that he has enough great memories to last a lifetime. His songs are catchy and there’s energy to the rhythm, but the songs sing the truth. In “Foreign Tongue” he sings, “sometimes silence is the same as lying.” Clearly, Luedecke is wise beyond his age.