Mark Montijo's If I Get to Heaven is an album that feels like the work of a seasoned songwriter, someone who’s spent decades honing his craft. The album opens with “Lost Art,” a slow-burning, melancholic piece that blends gentle acoustic guitar with the haunting hum of a lap steel. It’s a track that pulls you in gradually, its beauty unfolding with patience, leaving a lasting emotional mark.
The title track, “If I Get to Heaven,” strikes a delicate balance between lightness and depth. Montijo reflects on cultural ideas of the afterlife, subtly questioning them without becoming too heavy-handed. “Music You Could Die For” taps into a bluesy, fireside vibe, while “Big Night in a Small Town” is a quiet meditation on family, small-town life, and the passage of time.
Tracks like “Picture This” and “Someone Can Fly” showcase Montijo’s thoughtful lyricism, but it’s “At the Top of My Game” that stands out. The banjo, fiddle, and vocal harmonies weave together in a way that feels effortless, giving the song a warm, down-home feel. “Horse Named Lefty” holds its own with a strong narrative, while “Tea Time in Texas” brings a lively bluegrass energy that lifts the album's mood.
“Zero to Sixty” is a standout moment, with a storytelling style reminiscent of Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” spinning a narrative that’s both rich and relatable. The album closes with “Summer Sun,” a smooth and comforting track that paints a picture of idyllic summers, frozen in memory. It’s a song that captures the bittersweet nature of time, with Montijo expressing gratitude for fleeting moments that linger in our minds long after they’ve passed.
If I Get to Heaven is full of quiet reflections, brought to life by Montijo’s rich voice and thoughtful arrangements. It’s an album that doesn’t demand attention but earns it through its sincerity and craft.