I can’t give an unbiased review of John Van Deusen, according to last.fm he is my tenth most listened to artist. Which now that I think about it, though it sounds right I doubt it’s accuracy as it says I’ve only listened to Falling Up ninety times, Apple says it’s well into the hundreds. Regardless, John Van Deusen is one of my all time favourite artists.

Unlike other reviews I’m not going to even attempt to understand or interpret the lyrics. Others have done it much better than I ever will, (see Josh Balogh’s review for Jesus Freak Hideout). What I will talk about is the imagery that he has used in certain songs, the top tier songs you need to listen to and the actual imagery in the album. Basically, the most interesting parts.

First we need to talk about the artwork, like the previous albums in this series he has put a lot of thought and effort into the artwork and how it relates to the album. For (I am) Origami Pt. 4 — Marathon Daze you may immediately recognize one part of the cover, the sculpture taking up the focal point, David and Goliath. It is a picture of a sculpture from the 17th century believed to be done by Francesco Fanelli. John doesn’t tell us why exactly he chose that image but I have a theory that it is because of who David was in that moment. He is a person of virtue, someone who is with the Lord and the Lord is with him. He was a shepherd boy, which is one of the lowest standings in society at the time and he was used to do unbelievably great things and the story of David and Goliath is perhaps the beginning of his crescendo. Of course, David isn’t perfect, as no one is, and he fails time and time again, quite spectacularly. David in that moment however is someone to aspire to, someone who’s trust is fully in the Lord and someone who has a sense of purpose and direction for his life. John describes himself careening recklessly through a frantic modern existence, could he be trying to aspire as a musician and as a person to be more like David in that moment? He doesn’t tell us so we don’t know, however its a thought I had and one I wanted to share.

The other cool thing about the cover is the etching that is behind David and Goliath. Is there a significance to the etching? Who knows, but it certainly is well done and interesting. I personally like it because I enjoy the forest, nature and it makes me feel closer to God. There is a point in John at one point uses imagery of a tree in his long letter about this album and the (I Am) Origami series. But who knows if that is connected at all. For those interested, the etching is by French artist Adolphe Martial Potémont called Old Oaks at Bas Bréau.

The album as a whole is a full of worship and prayer, a fitting end to the (I Am) Origami series that explores many of the same themes you see in this album. As I said, I can’t attempt to interpret the lyrics, but I do encourage you to listen to it and give this album the time it deserves.

Check it out on his Bandcamp to hear all 21 tracks. Some of my favourite tracks are Marathon Daze which actually came out in a live recording years ago. Additionally, In The Morning and Uninspired: Blowing Smoke are some other must listen tracks. Overall the album, the consideration to each aspect and how much of himself John Van Deusen put in there makes this album a solid ten emus out of ten emus.