I was lucky enough to get a preview listen to Eric Hirshberg’s sophomore album SECOND HAND SMOKE, released September 13th via BEAUTIFUL CORNER MUSIC. This is an album that’s a perfect background to a Sunday morning self-reflection over a cup of your favorite brew. Touching on social topics that aren’t always addressed in mainstream music, Second Hand Smoke takes the listener on an introspective look into the human condition of everyday life.
The album opens with a positive, motivational song titled “Good Morning” and I was struck by the harmony interplay between Eric’s unique vocals and the vocals of his female counterpart. The song sets up the listener for the next eight tracks to come; sending you on a path of emotional ups and downs and self reflection. “Everyone Believes” expands on the depth of Eric’s vocal delivery and is filled with a musical richness that gives the track a greater sense of emotional expression and feeling. It is a song about one’s own search for their spiritual path and what brings us together as a whole. The song reminds us that it may not be WHAT everyone believes but the fact THAT they DO believe is what ties us all together and will set us free.
“Day One” is a deep look into toxic relationships and getting them out of your life. This song had me envisioning a couple alone in a smoke filled room doing that delicate dance of back and forth – fighting with passion and fire but unwilling to let each other win. The musical arrangement is the perfect background for Eric’s vocals with the guitar intro imparting a Spanish feel further highlighted by the percussion. Almost every person can relate to that feeling when you know it’s just not going to work out.
The album closes with “Goodnight Nobody“, an almost lullaby completion that allows the listener to remember that tomorrow’s a brand new day and everything that should bring us gratitude. The vocals reminded me of a Peter Gabriel or Chris Rea ballad with a simple profoundness that draws you in. Overall, Second Hand Smoke feels like a heartfelt conversation with a close friend that leaves an impressionable influence on one’s soul. You may not find all the answers here, but Eric is definitely asking the questions and invoking deep thoughts while providing us with a roadmap through the human psyche.
“It’s hard to sleep. It’s hard to wake up too – Sometimes it’s hard not to lie and even harder to know what’s true…”
~ “It’s Hard to be a Human Being”
ERIC HIRSHBERG: FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | X | YOUTUBE
Singer-Songwriter Eric Hirshberg has had a pretty diverse background career. A quick Google search tells you Eric built and ran the world-renowned advertising agency Deutsch, LA as the CEO/Chief Creative Officer and helped the company earn six Agency of the Year awards, along with Eric being named 50 Most Creative People in Business by AdAge during his 14 year tenure. After his success with Deutsch, he became the CEO of Activision for almost a decade, where he oversaw the development and marketing of some of the biggest entertainment franchises in the world including Call of Duty and Guitar Hero just to name a few. To say Eric is an innovator would be an understatement and that drive has not changed in his pursuit to fulfill his life long passion, MUSIC.
Be sure to check out Eric Hirshberg’s debut album Spare Room, along with his most current release Second Hand Smoke. Both albums are out now via Beautiful Corner Music and are worth a listen!
SECOND HAND SMOKE TRACK LISTING
- Good Morning (featuring Dave Koz)
- Half Way Home
- Everyone Believes
- I Love Not Drinking (featuring Aloe Blacc)
- It’s Hard To Be A Human Being
- Day One
- Unbroken
- The Most Beautiful Boy
- Goodnight Nobody
Release Date: 09/13/2024 via Beautiful Corner Music
