Hop on board for a roller coaster ride of emotions

June’s Picture Show

Ingram Hill

Hollywood Records

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June’s Picture Show

Ingram Hill

Hollywood Records

Recommended if you like: Counting Crows or matchbox 20

Buddhists believe that life is a journey, a cycle of ups and downs. On the album June’s Picture Show by Ingram Hill, you feel the effects of this cycle as it brings you to sorrowful lows and elated highs of life after emotional death.

“Waste it All on You” is reminiscent of the Counting Crows’ “Round Here” with a similar somber mood and pained vocals. The theme of the song is similar as well. The acoustic guitar strums with a slow backbeat from the drums, framing it sweetly.

But even though they fit the songs well, the instrumentals are not that interesting.

More interesting than the average musicianship are the story lines of the songs. The songs are honest and intense, with deep meanings that make you reflect on feelings that you felt in the past. It brings you back to those times and makes you relive the pain, but there is a beauty in that pain if you let them take you there.

“Almost Perfect” sounds upbeat musically, but is riddled with tragic undertones. It is about a man who loves a woman. This man is on the side because the woman has a boyfriend. He thinks she is perfect despite her flaws. He sings “she don’t want to try, but this just feels so right,” showing that he’s smitten. She seems to be with him purely for the physicality of the relationship. She knows how he feels about her and gets her kicks by teasing him.

The ending of a relationship is evident in “On My Way.” The song features lead singer Justin Moore’s strong and meaningful vocals and is about getting revenge on somebody who broke your heart. He wants to take away her sunshine and her dreams. You can feel his vindictiveness and pain when he sings, “Call and leave a cryin’ message; I wanna know it hurts like hell.” If you have been scorned by a boyfriend, girlfriend or even just a friend, it is easy to relate to his emotions.

June’s Picture Show is a journey through pain, desire, self-efficacy and emotional stability.