Young Man: “In a Sense”

The ability to relate goes a long way. Colin Caulfield apparently was aiming for universal appeal with the release of three LPs over the past few years. Each album has a highlight, and that is often the song most relatable to the common man. The man not as supremely talented as Colin Caulfield, that is.

Caulfield, known with his band as Young Man, has trickled these LPs out of Chicago with a focus on the all too familiar coming of age motif. The most recent, Beyond Was All Around Me, was released in the heart of spring and in the short time since, the masses tell me “In a Sense” is the highlight of the LP. That must make it the most relatable. As the song describes the inability to change for a significant other, the target audience is most definitely a large one. Everyone experiences the joys and hardships of transitioning to adulthood and Young Man has done well to find subcategories on a track by track basis that are worthy of our empathy.

As the woman in the music video tries in vain to guide the hapless wanderer toward respectability and responsibility, the ever-lasting bass drum and flowing vocals make it easy for all of us to feel as stubborn and ignorant as he. Caulfield paints a simple picture with wonderful lyrics that reflect on a failed relationship while effectively masking any hint of negative undertones, keeping “In a Sense” a cheerful and enjoyable chapter in his coming of age story. Listen and move on to the next lesson. Young Man has plenty to offer.