“The track is extraordinarily intricate and beautiful, paying subtle homage to musical icons such as Elton John and Todd Rungren with a piano-led and nostalgic feel. The production has clear 70s influences, but Entertainer stands on its own feet, melding futuristic synths with piano chords that pulse through the track like a heartbeat."

T Truman’s ballad Entertainer is a soulful alt-rock gem.

Timothy Lanham’s ability to craft a ballad that doesn’t drag even at its 4:40 run time is remarkable. The Vaccine’s keyboardist recently released Entertainer as a single under his alter ego and solo project, T Truman, and it deserves way more attention. 

The track is extraordinarily intricate and beautiful, paying subtle homage to musical icons such as Elton John and Todd Rungren with a piano-led and nostalgic feel. The production has clear 70s influences, but Entertainer stands on its own feet, melding futuristic synths with piano chords that pulse through the track like a heartbeat. 

Luckily, the production never overpowers Lanham’s vocals. The lyrics take center stage throughout the track, telling the story of an artist caught in a trap of his own making. "Entertainer is an honest commentary on creative trials when the pressure to stand out confuses the goal of making meaningful art,” Lanham said about the track. “Sometimes your own projections get in the way of useful work ethic and it's not an easy place to get out of.” 

The song’s energy shifts in the bridge, turning from reflective to emotional. “No surprise you’re not impressed,” Lanham sings. “I’m just trying to redefine my happiness.” The bridge then moves seamlessly into a variation of the chorus, repeating its lyrics with a new urgency. Shimmering synths give the outro a slightly surreal and dream-like quality, but we’re abruptly pulled back to reality by the final lyric, sung over nothing but piano chords. “I might be the greatest entertainer that you’ve seen.” 

Entertainer is a beautiful modern take on the classic rock piano ballad. Make sure to keep an eye out for T Truman’s EP Luxury Star, releasing March 10.

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