Ctrl is the seventh solo studio album release from singer and songwriterDerek Webb. He produced it with Joshua Moore, who also co-produced Webb's 2009 album, Stockholm Syndrome. Ctrl tells the story of an unnamed protagonist who, disenchanted with physical human life, sets out to develop a vision of immortality and life free of pain by ultimately uploading his consciousness into a digital virtual reality. As Webb explains it, "It's an album about one man's desire for something he cannot have because it isn't real, the journey he goes on pursuing it, and the costs of that journey. But essentially, 'Ctrl' is both personal autopsy and cultural observation about how we use technology to try and control our lives, and my concern that it could ultimately have more control of us."
Ctrl is simultaneously an adventurous movement forward in musical style and a return to the acoustic guitar for Webb after an extended absence. Ctrl combines a few unique musical elements to create a sonic landscape that reflects the feeling urgency and alienation of the story. Along with his vocals and nylon-string classical guitar, Webb and Moore interspersed drum machines and dense electronic effects. Most notably, throughout, Ctrl features old recordings of Sacred Harp singing, an historical tradition of sacred choral music from the Southern United States related to Shape note singing. Sacred Harp is characterized by direct, expressive and sometimes brash voices in 4-part harmony. The juxtaposition of musical elements is fully intended to bring about the overall effect of the album.
Critical reception
Track listing
Personnel
Produced, performed & recorded by Derek Webb & Joshua Moore
Story by Derek Webb, Allan Heinberg, & Joshua Moore
All songs written by Derek Webb.
Recorded at
Wellhouse Studios, The Moore House, & Ft. Sumner Studio
Engineering by
Travis Brockway
Production assistance by
Matt Reynolds
Additional vocals by
Latifah Phillips, engineered by Dave Wilton at St. Ida's
Derek Webb & Joshua Moore, except for live drums, played by McKenzie Smith, and woodwinds & vibraphone played by Jordan Brooke Hamlin, engineered by Jordan Brooke Hamlin at Gingerwood Studio
