Americana composer Mark Montijo from San Diego has come out from a 40-year break to enthrall listeners with his clever and emotional narrative. “If I Get to Heaven,” his most recent record, is evidence of his ongoing brilliance and applicability in the music industry.
Beginning his artistic path in the 1960s, Montijo accompanied well-known singer-songwriters such Jackson Browne, Tom Waits, and JD Souther. Following a decades-long break, he returned to music and put out his album “History” to great reception. The title track was hailed as “remarkable” in American Songwriter Magazine, and two-time Grammy Award winner Rodney Crowell sent congrats on its brilliance.
“If I Get to Heaven” depicts Montijo’s development and mastery of his trade. With Montijo’s unique voice and biting wit guiding the listener across a complex examination of the human experience, the 11 tracks of the album create a narrative of love, hope, and compassion.
Lost Art
The first tune, “Lost Art,” sets the tone with its sorrowful meditation on the status of the world. “Well, the world is going crazy, well, the world is going crazy, and the news is usually bad” opens the song on the turmoil and negativity on the planet. Then the chorus, “Seems like love’s a lost art, and it feels like hate will win,” implies that division and hate are taking front stage over compassion and love. However, the lines “Maybe we can get lost too / Maybe we can find the best part of what other humans do” offer a glimpse of hope, hinting that even in darkness, human connection can prevail. Most crucially, the repetition of “If love is just a lost art” becomes a haunting chant, highlighting the need of regaining love and empathy in a world torn apart.
The title track, “If I Get to Heaven,” gives us a form of reflection on the afterlife and the hypocrisy of human nature. The track’s opening words, “If I get to heaven, I’ll walk down every street / If they’re speaking English, I’ll tell everyone I meet All about California,” present an image of a guy profoundly in love and with his hometown. However, the verse “Now there’s lots of hopeful people hanging on a wire / While angry men with microphones are preaching to the choir” attacks the hypocrisy of those who teach hate and division under the cover of righteousness, which impacts the lives of the people in California. The queries “What are all my wonderful buddies intended to be? What the heck are we doing here, you and me?” questioned to Jesus at heaven’s gate, dispute the premise and substance of a hereafter and further demonstrates the narrators love for his home and desire to return back to it.
If I Get to Heaven
Other outstanding tunes include “Music You Could Die For,” – This song’s lyrics examine the transforming power of music, showcasing its capacity to unify and inspire. Lines like “They got prom night expectations, but they got drug addiction lies” and “They got cemetery humor, they got military minds” show that even music can be stained by gloom and sadness. The refrain “They got music you could die for” becomes a metaphoric reminder of the song’s potential, very good and inspiring. Montijo’s lyrics admonish against the use of music for destructive purposes, highlighting its redeeming potential, and “Summer Sun,” a beautiful hymn to the simple joys of life and love. This song’s warm, nostalgic tone celebrates the basic joys of life and love. Lines like “We stood up on the hillside, watched the ocean through the trees” and “You never broke a tension, as the wind played through your hair” inspire a sense of peace and connectedness. The repeating of “The summer sun shines down on you” becomes a gentle assertion of love’s enduring existence.
Throughout the album, Montijo’s compositions incorporate folk, rock, and Americana influences, producing a complex sound environment that complements his tale. His collaborations with multi-instrumentalist Lenny Bole bring dimension and richness to the album.
At The Top of My Game
With his growing popularity and critical acclaim, Mark Montijo is consolidating his status as a rising star in the Americana scene. His music has connected with listeners nationwide, and his live performances have won over audiences in San Diego and beyond.
“If I Get to Heaven” is an album that will leave listeners contemplating the human condition and the power of love and hope. Montijo’s superb storytelling and sad lyrics make this album a must-listen for fans of John Prine, Jackson Browne, and other Americana giants. As Montijo continues to make up for lost time, his work is sure to capture an ever-widening audience, confirming his status as a recognized and adored songwriter.
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