Though all his albums (acoustic and electric) radiate heart-on-the-sleeve sincerity, David Boone’s newest recording has—in addition to candor—a sense of emotional and instrumental focus. The songs delve into sorrowful tales matched by minor chords, but Boone is an inventive guitar player and deft enough at storytelling that the weight of dark issues doesn’t drown out his reverence for a life lived fully. It’s the stark contrasts that give the album texture and cohesion: small town pleasures of Seeley Lake are inextricably coupled with the reality of an alcoholic father, and people who harden themselves to love find that hard veneers are the most fragile of all. Everyone has heard these themes before. What personalizes Hard Enough to Bend are the details. Lyrical turns like “I grew up on the outskirts of heaven” followed by “you’d be surprised but I ain’t never going back” show a Springsteen-like awareness of what home really means. And when he finishes the song “Norfolk Bay,” Boone doesn’t just fade out, you can hear him stand up and walk out still playing his guitar. It’s a recording detail that mimics the album’s refreshing composition and unapologetic frankness.

In its overarching simplicity, “Hard Enough to Bend” manages to channel the best of Boone: his remarkably expressive voice, his gift for soaring melody and his knack for poetic lyrics.

Boone’s unsuspecting voice will grab your attention in a subtle way. On this release, the majority of the songs have him singing in a controlled style that won’t turn heads based on volume. So how does Boone steal the listener’s attention in a crowded coffeehouse where he usually plays? Boone uses his soothing voice mixed with passionate and personal lyrics. The musicianship on the album isn’t pushing any standards, but that isn’t what Boone and the occasional percussion back-up are trying to do. “I want to sing the songs and let them stand for themselves,” he said. “Everyone is into overproduction, and I want to see if a song can stand on its own.”

As one of Missoula's most prolific and talented musicians, it's David's honesty, his transparency, that makes his work shine. In his latest, Hard Enough to Bend, it is more and more present in his voice as he sings about poverty, love, war and loss. He blends styles in Hard Enough to Bend showcasing his progression while maintaining his acoustic roots. Reminiscent of Ryan Adams on this album, he uses his signature lyrical prowess and adaptability to take a traditional folk-like feel and turn it into something modern and vibrant -- distancing himself from the run-of-the-mill coffee shop singer-songwriter. David continues to amaze with his ability to stay open and raw while simultaneously challenging new sounds and styles -- song after song, album after album.