Todd Rusch: Signpost of Destiny

Todd Rusch

Signpost of Destiny (Nomadic)

As a member of marginally renowned band Ecotour, Todd Rusch has been around for a while. This explains a mature songwriting style that suggests a career beyond this, his solo debut. Not only is Rusch an accomplished songwriter, he's assembled a nice collection of local talent (including Billy Harvey, Ernie Durawa, and George Coyne) to make Signpost of Destiny memorable. Mark Huls' lead guitar adds indispensible texture to most of the tunes here, especially the title track and "Override Your Daydreams." The album has a dreamlike essence to it, an ethereal quality that brings a sense of urgency and deeper meaning to the songs. Rusch uses spooky tones similar to Chris Rhea or the Church to paint a somber and introspective backdrop, which suits the lyrics here just fine. Sometimes a philosophy of life as fully fleshed-out as that which Rusch unfolds on this CD can be an impediment to the fluidity of lyrics, as they are on "Wandering Madman."For the most part, however, Rusch's love of nature and gentle disdain for the trappings of a greed-driven society inform and enhance the carefully flowing poetics that infuse his songs, especially the title track and the poppy closer, "End This Way."