Innocence is Reese West’s second album. This album is a collection of songs from a while back; all of the songs from Innocence are at least a few years old. I’ve had these songs ready to record since soon after I wrote them, but such is life. Between traveling, relationships, education, work, and blatant procrastination it has taken me around 4 years to bring you this album. Being that all the songs are from a while back, I had a lot of hesitancy and at several points I considered scrapping the whole project and just recording songs that are newer. Fortunately (hopefully), I began to reconnect with the songs as the project progressed and I am happy that I decided to finish the album. It’s hard, and at times very embarrassing to go back and look at older material. My writing style, musical style, perspective, and opinions have changed so much since writing these songs. Through all this change, there is a certain timelessness of the sentiments I had when writing these songs and that’s why I love writing music. Songs are snapshots of a certain time. While I may not still feel the same way, I can always look back through that lens and have a glimpse at a different time. Life is change. Terrifying, exciting, painful, joyful, always occurring. I’m just trying to enjoy my way through it all.


The songs from Innocence stem from my high school age years. A particularly interesting phase of life. Struggling with issues inside and in exterior relationships. Ups and downs. Moments of sadness and moments of joy. Dark and light. Experimenting with my body and mind. Questioning what I am, what I want to be. Innocence: What is it? Am I losing it? Did I have it? Can I ever have it again?


Undoubtably I had a part in the creation of this album, but you would not be hearing it like it is without the people I am about to list. Give credit where credit is due and these people deserve recognition for their hard work and priceless contributions to this album. The amazing musicians: Travis Hilton, Jason Vandervort, Jeff Ross, and Nathan Jude. I cannot put into words what they have done for this album. “Thank you” is a gross understatement for their contributions. Thank you to all the people at Sacred Heart for the wonderful recording space. Thank you to Jake Larson for mastering and helping bring to fruition my vision for the sound of this album. Thank you to Eli Klemmeck for recording assistance. Thank you to my wonderful girlfriend Lauren Hanson for all her encouragement and support through the long (and at times painful) recording and mixing process. Last, but not least, thank you to all who continue to listen to my music. I hope you enjoy the album.

Innocence

Track 7 from Innocence

Lyrics:

Quit crying wolf because it’s not that scary
Get to the point, quit being so contrary
Your problems are yours, they’re not for me to carry
And you’ll have to swim when there’s not a ferry

Love isn’t war but your romance is grating
A ridiculous view is what you end up creating
All over their faces smiles sit there waiting
But when you look away they do some eyebrow trading

Break the blankets that are holding you down
Cause chains is a strong word and you’re not tied to the ground
Get out of the queen’s chair you don’t have a crown
But with you it’s neither up nor down


Music, lyrics, acoustic guitar, conga: Reese West
Drums: Travis Hilton
Bass: Jason Vandervort
Lead Guitar: Jeff Ross

Mixed by Reese West
Mastered by Jake Larson

Quit Crying Wolf

Track 6 from Innocence.

Lyrics:

I'm never gonna let you go, oh no
Cause you're my love and inspiration, oh yeah
And you're never gonna run away, oh no
Cause you're my everything and I love you so, oh yeah

And you know I'd do anything for you 
Cause I love the way you're so pretty and everything that you do

I know that I will love you forever, oh yeah
Do you wanna know how I know? Cause I know, yes I know, oh yeah I know
Cause all I think about is you, ooh
And you're the only one that I ever want to see, oh yeah

And you know I'd do anything for you 
Cause I love the way you're so pretty and everything that you do

And you know I'd do anything for you 
Cause I love the way you're so pretty and everything that you do

Music, lyrics, harmonies, acoustic guitar, and Hammond organ: Reese West
Drums: Travis Hilton
Bass: Jason Vandervort
Lead Guitar: Jeff Ross

Mixed by Reese West
Mastered by Jake Larson

Never Gonna Let You Go

Track 5 from Innocence.

Lyrics:

Grab your ammunition for the battle
Get your bullets, hear the rattle
Hear the warring all around you
Stand upon the battle ground
Humbled, bloody, there you’re found

For the battle is always cold
Because the art of war is old
Do not question just do as you’re told
Oh the front isn’t easy to hold

It’s a war of the words, oh the sound
The empty bodies as they hit the ground
Hear all of those who have died
All their loved ones who have cried
Cut, shutout, the hurt inside

For the battle is always cold
Because the art of war is old
Do not question just do as you’re told
Oh the front isn’t easy to hold


Music, lyrics, acoustic guitar, and harmonies: Reese West
Drums: Travis Hilton
Bass: Jason Vandervort
Lead Guitar: Jeff Ross

Mixed by Reese West
Mastered by Jake Larson

The Battle

Track 4 from Innocence.

Lyrics:

What the hell is this?
I’m so angry but I can’t say why
And I’m just passive aggressive
Cause being honest is something that I’m too pissed to try

Is it me or you that I’m worried about
Of course it’s me you can do whatever you want
And I want you to leave, just get out
Cause I don’t know how long this will haunt me for

And no one knows everything, just admit that this is true
And all that I ask for is a little humility, I don’t, I don’t ask for a fool

Is it funny or tragic this disgusting display?
Who will you ask and what will they say?
And you’re getting older now and it’s cold when you’re lonely
I used to think there was a line but now it’s way past broken

No one knows everything, please admit that this is true
And all that I ask for is a little humility, I don’t, I don’t ask for a fool

What is your purpose?
Where are you going?
The seasons are changing
The water is flowing

A god do you have one?
A love more than money?
When the party is over
Will you still be happy?

And all that I ask for is a little humility, I don’t, I don’t ask for a fool

Music, lyrics, acoustic guitar: Reese West
Drums: Travis Hilton
Bass: Jason Vandervort
Lead Guitar: Jeff Ross

Mixed by Reese West
Mastered by Jake Larson

No One Knows Everything

Track 3 from Innocence.

Lyrics:

Do you hear what I hear when a song comes through your headphones?
Do you see what I see when I look at someone that I love?
Do you taste what I taste when I kiss your perfect body everywhere?

But I suppose that none of it really matters in the grand scheme
Can you tell me what it means cause I don’t have a clue 
What and what not to do I’m just trying to enjoy my way through it all

Do you smell what I smell when the rain’s about to pour?
Do you touch what I touch when my hand collides with yours?
Do you feel what I feel when I realize I’m so happy to be alive?

But I suppose that none of it really matters in the grand scheme
Can you tell me what it means cause I don’t have a clue 
What and what not to do I’m just trying to enjoy my way through it all

What does it really matter?
When you’re climbing up a ladder
Only to get to the top rung and fall off

Does the meaning still linger?
Or does it slip through your fingers?
Before it ever had a chance to soak in

I’m just trying to enjoy my way through it
The thrill of not knowing what to do
I’m just trying to enjoy my way through

Music, lyrics, acoustic guitar: Reese West
Drums: Travis Hilton
Bass: Jason Vandervort
Lead Guitar: Jeff Ross

Mixed by Reese West
Mastered by Jake Larson

Hannah's Song

Track 2 from Innocence.

Lyrics:

Hey, I know we messed up but it's ok
And you know it doesn't really matter anyway
And hey, we both know there comes another day
So please don't turn away
Just let me say

I want to be your your pillow
I want to be your your stream or your, your weeping willow
I want to see you to the end
Right through the, right through the, right through the middle
Just give me a little of your love and I'll be, I'll be alright

Hey, I know there's not that much to say
But you know I don't want to throw this away
And hey, we both know our love is here today
And that's all that matters anyway
We're ok

I want to be your your pillow
I want to be your your stream or your, your weeping willow
I want to see you to the end
Right through the, right through the, right through the middle
Just give me a little of your love and I'll be, I'll be alright

I love you, I love you, I love you in every way
I love you, I love you, I love you more than I say
I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I,

I want to be your your pillow
I want to be your your stream or your, your weeping willow
I want to see you to the end
Right through the, right through the, right through the middle
Just give me a little of your love and I'll be, I'll be alright

Music, lyrics, acoustic guitar: Reese West
Drums: Travis Hilton
Bass: Jason Vandervort
Lead Guitar: Jeff Ross
Piano: Nathan Jude

Mixed by Reese West
Mastered by Jake Larson

Your Pillow

Track 1 from Innocence.

Lyrics:

Is there nothing original left in the world?
You’ve probably heard this song before
And I have some questions for anyone who can answer
Can we believe just what we see?
Can we do what we believe?
Can we see what we believe?
Who knows if its all true?
All I see is blue
Do you believe in what you do?

And these thoughts in my head 
Can write themselves down
They don’t need my help
Cause they know just what I’ve done
Will you do what you believe?
Will they practice what they preach?
They say freedom isn’t free
I guess I just took it the wrong way
Who knows if anything’s true?
All I see is blue
Do you believe in what you do?

Can anyone understand me?
Not just what I sing
Can anyone even hear me?
Or does it mean anything?
Can anyone learn from mistakes of the past?
Can anyone open the curtain that sits in front of our eyes?
Can anyone know what they feel for certain?
While sitting behind this veil of lies
No one really knows what true
All we see is blue
Do you you believe in what you do?

Music, lyrics, acoustic guitar: Reese West
Drums: Travis Hilton
Bass: Jason Vandervort
Lead Guitar: Jeff Ross

Mixed by Reese West
Mastered by Jake Larson