“Beginner’s Mind” is the latest release by John Budnik Band, a music outlet of an outstanding Alaskan songwriter and musician. Arriving as the first piece of work in 2025, this comprehensive collection of catchy, memorable, engaging songs serves as his third album, showcasing the natural progression of an already exceptional artist. Soundwise, John Budnik approached this material with an open mind by trying different approaches and combining many different but complementary music genres to illustrate such fascinating sonic imagery. He expertly blends the singer-songwriter approach with some of the finest properties of classic rock, psych-rock, garage rock, alternative, and indie, but you’ll unquestionably stumble upon many other elements along the way. He uses all these additional elements as more than necessary enhancements, accentuations, decorations, and other details to elevate his music to new heights while simultaneously remaining loyal to the primary sonic direction. Therefore, these experimentations with many different approaches and styles resulted in an entire amalgam of impressive compositions that will undoubtedly appeal to even the pickiest rock fans.
All these experimentations are vividly hearable throughout the entire album. You’ll notice how songs such as the opening “Devil’s Grin” resonates with only the finest sonic ingredients usually heard or seen in retro classic rock. The raw, abrasive, gritty guitar works lurk around, shaping such a luxuriant backdrop for all the vocals to shine upon. Still, there are subtly jangly, angular melodies, harmonies, and other sonic maneuvers incorporated along the way, serving as a counterpoint that elevates this song to new heights. “Useful Idiot” leans much more towards the late sixties and early seventies psychedelic rock, with all those impressive synth ambiances and progressive guitar works lurking around. Budnik’s excellent vocal performance commands attention and guides the listening apparatus through every segment while simultaneously emphasizing all the segments and accentuations. “New Vibe” includes catchy, memorable, engaging slide guitar maneuvers, combined with mesmerizing keys while the equally intricate basslines and groovy rhythmic patterns keep everything in line and dictate groove and tempo. It’s one of those songs that resembled seventies soul rock music. “Lay Me Down To Die” continuously levitates between dreamy, psychedelic rock ambiance and folk rock aesthetics, with all those reverby chord progressions delivered on acoustic guitar. There are subtle percussions lurking around, creating an entirely new dimension that unquestionably appeals to John Budnik’s impressive vocal performance.”Fireweed” dives even deeper into dreamy soundscapes with more reverby instrumentations, jangly chord progressions, and mesmerizing keys. Budnik’s impressive vocal range balances between low, mid, and high notes with precision and finesse while serving as a centerpiece of the song.
The artist returns to the classic rock path with “Miss The Days,” “Scorpion Dreams,” and “Beginner’s Mind,” three incredible compositions where Budnik’s experience, knowledge, creativity, talent, and skills shine in the limelight. Each track arrives with a comprehensive collection built upon catchy chord progressions, riffs, melodies, harmonies, themes, and leads, empowered with equally impressive, vividly hearable, warm-sounding basslines that provide more heaviness, clarity, and depth to these songs. In the meantime, the tastefully assembled, flawlessly performed, well-accentuated beats, breaks fills, and other percussive acrobatics keep the remainder of the instrumentations in line. The arrives “Snow Song,” another marvelous ballad where John Budnik showcases his exceptional songwriting and composing abilities. His dreamy vocal harmonies guide listeners through the expansive sonic universe that gradually unfolds the entire amalgam of cleverly assembled instrumentations. You’ll notice how each vocal harmony, chord progression, and rhythmic pattern has its place and purpose in this sonic equation. With “Wave A Flag,” the artist slowly prepares the listeners for closure. It’s another excellent classic rock song garnered with subtle garage and psych elements. The artist carefully measured each element involved in this track, and it unquestionably showcases his tremendous songwriting abilities to the max. This epic sonic journey ends with “New Vibe,” a stripped-down acoustic ballad where Budnik’s incredible vocal performance collides with marvelous chord progressions. It’s a perfect closing track where you’ll decide to repeat this incredible album once again.
With “Beginner’s Mind,” John Budnik has created a classic rock masterpiece that will undoubtedly resonate with a broader audience. Each composition arrives with a perfect structure, garnered with many intricate segments, brilliant ideas, and marvelous orchestrations that will immediately grab you by the collar and refuse to let go long after this album ends. His incredible vocal performance, hypnotic chord progressions, powerful riffs, profoundly detailed basslines, and excellent drumming are just some of the reasons why you should place “Beginner’s Mind” on your listening radar, and this album reveals even more surprises as you dive deep into its ambiance. Therefore, head to your favorite streaming platforms and check out this incredible album. Don’t miss it!
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