Alex Czapla’s first step into the word of a solo career is nothing short of a valiant first attempt. His use of acoustic guitar in a simplistic manner gives the feel of a genuine approach to the song which is received well. You really do get the idea that there’s no gadgets and gizmo’s used to help make this song cool or interesting. Rather It’s just him and six strings, and in today’s world there’s something very appealing about it. It gives the vibe of “what you see is what you get” and who doesn’t love that.

While the song starts out with a classic trusty strumming pattern, it begins to vary as occasionally chords are missed out so Czapla’s vocals can have some airtime. Yet every now and then, when the guitar returns, Czapla’s strumming occasionally switches up and gives that extra oomph as he pushes the strings to really ring out which does a good job in getting across the passion behind the instrumental.

While instrumentally the song packs a punch, unfortunately not the same can be said vocally. While I must admit that Alex Czapla’s vocals are far from atrocious (as a matter of fact, I’d even go as far to say that as a whole they’re quite good) in areas such as the chorus, one can’t help but notice how the high notes were clearly a challenge as Czapla’s vocals begin to go slightly flat. It’s one of the main reasons as to why the song feels like it’s missing that fire behind it. it’s missing that one key moment where the song goes over the edge and forces you to feel something from it.

But it’s not all doom and gloom, after all what the track lacks in vocal prowess, it makes up for in lyrical ability. The storyline of someone telling their story of how they are unnerved at the road that lies ahead for them as they venture out into the big wide world in hopes finding whatever it is they they’re missing out on in life is rather interesting and does convey that sense of passion to a mild extent. the feeling that there’s more out there for you can be absolutely gut wrenching at times and pursuing it can feel even worse and Czapla does a good job at showing that.

Overall, as far as a first release goes, Read My Book is pretty damn good first attempt. Granted it’s not perfection, but can you really expect that from an artist’s first release? Alex Czapla is bound to cross that bridge between good and amazing, just you wait and see.