With pop/rock moods and poetry, along with a vocal style that conjurs Petty and Dylan, Tom Laverack's 14-track CD, "Gift Horse", is a look into the mouth of an artist who is masterful at painting musical tapestries of typically dark adult life. The record starts with "Smile On You", a reality punching confession of the common effort, 'starting out but wishing that you were through, trying to hide that you haven't a clue. .you'll never concede that your pretty little dream will not come true'. Brutal and honest. Track 2, "Hold Out", is a simple subtle inspiring tune of dedication, 'if i fall down i'll try to get back up and i'll catch you rain in this paper cup, and you can call my name, and i will come'. Track 9, "Five o'clock Shadow", is a NYC ode that touches on Lou Reed influence about city street observations, 'i saw these cops holding onto a woman who was crying out and in pain, she fell to the sidewalk with a cops foot on her so that she couldn't run away'. The sweetest melody and sentiment on a record of sometimes brutal discouragement, is found in "Ragdoll". Picking up with the same tone of dedication as "hold out", Laverack sings, 'i could be your rag doll and be there where you are'. The guitar work approaches a pedal steel and adds understated instrumental beauty to the song. Laverack leaves a final imprint of futility in "Hot Dog Vendor" as the protagonist accomplishes little in an effort to not become a hot dog vendor. But, the record overall touches a relative core of universal insecurity in its language. The music serves to prop up a world that Laverack seems to revere and deject at the same time - and end up with glimpses of love and resolve in what are unconditional dedicated songs of partnership. Superb.