On the album It Just So Happens, Rob Alexander not only came up with a great collection of cross-genre tunes, but they also align with his recent collaborations with members of Elton John’s band, which can be heard in some of the piano-driven music. The fifteen-track album also contains a lot of diverse topics for an overall enormously satisfying listening experience, the kind of thing the 70s consistently produced. The Elton John factor takes on exploration in some of the songs, which are as much worth pointing out as an influence, as anything else on It Just So Happens.
This is album is tastefully done, and the songs prove it one after the other, kicking off with the Diddy Combs scandal inspired “Ultimate Freak-Off Party” which is essentially a pop tune that bounces right along in humorous fashion without any graphic depicting of the story. Instead, it leans into showbiz style satire with a fun-loving chorus and two saxohone solos. “Save It For Another Time” instantly shows some of the Elton John approaches, yet this epic number also travels into other styles of music. While it vocally follows the narrative style of most of the songs on It Just So Happens.
https://open.spotify.com/album/0qKAdbkNhq5pNIKcYJIPKk
“Bennie and The Hepcats” is a hypothetical sequel to Elton John’s “Bennie and The Jets” with the depiction of Bennie being retired and the band hoping to become a sensation on Mars. The music and vocals are done in piano man fashion, combined with an almost David Bowie style to top it off. And the Elton John influence continues on the title track “It Just So Happens,” but it’s just a respectful nod while Rob Alexander is also clearly talent of his own proportions, it’s just hard to miss where it comes from. “Magic Dragon” starts to show some of his originality and takes the album in other directions.
At every turn, It Just So Happens brings something compelling to reflect on, making Rob Alexander hit all aimed targets from minimalism to all out brilliant storytelling. Tracks like “The Love Of My Life” also make sure to come complete with excellent guitar playing, as it simultaneously pays tribute to the likes of Elton John and Billy Joel. You just can’t deny these influences, but who better to be influenced by. And “A Little Of This” doesn’t fall far from that tree of great influence.
“Don’t Be Afraid Of This Love” is one of the bigger ballads on It Just So Happens, but “The Hurt Man” is where the lyrics get the most serious, with a song about child abuse told from experience, after watching the biopic about the Menendez brothers. This shines some light on how the influence of today’s media can help bring out traumas of the past and serve to help heal through music storytelling. “Wild Love Ways,” “Life Is A Rock,” the cerebral “Ready To Love Again,” and “Be That Way” all deliver the same quality standard, with the break-up song “Lonely Avenue” being saved for last, with Rob Alexander’s sole piano-vocal track.
Gwen Waggoner