Another Fine Album from a Very Talented Singer-Songwriter
author: Buddy Bolden
This album is an excellent follow-up to Cromwell's 2007 debut, "The Turning of Clocks." While that was purely a solo recording, featuring only Cromwell's vocals and acoustic guitar, this time the sound is fleshed out somewhat with additional musicians and, on a couple of tracks, other singers. Fortunately, the arrangements are tasteful and for the most part relatively spare, enhancing rather than obscuring Cromwell's soulful voice and expertly fingerpicked guitar and banjo. As on "Clocks," Cromwell shows himself to be an extremely talented songwriter, with a gift for evocative lyrics, clever wordplay, beautiful melodies, and very catchy instrumental hooks. Highlights include "The Steeplejack," an oblique and tale of improbable redemption humorously related over an infectiously funky beat; "Second Longest Day of the Year," in which a widower ambivalently reflects on his relationship with his late wife; and "Rust Belt Comet," a gorgeous, wistful reverie about a road trip not taken. All in all, this is a very impressive collection, and one that makes me very interested to hear what Shaun Cromwell will do next.
Read more...