This is an instant “wow”.  I’ve known Lincoln Barr’s music for about five years now, since I first heard his wonderful Washingon-state based band Red Jacket Mine.  A great, clever and skilled power-pop unit that knows how to do that “pop thing” I love so much.  But Lincoln’s stepping out for the first time with a solo effort and I am floored.  Seriously.  Which I think is the operative word here – “serious”.  This is not a lightweight or poppy affair.  This is a serious, at moments ponderous, somewhat melancholic and highly sophisticated work that roots itself in a cafe jazz vibe.  It’s as if The Style Council actually did a consistent album’s worth of jazz without veering off into painful pretentiousness.  If anything, Trembling Frames, as a whole,  is one of those “oh, let me up” moments.  And the players that aided and abetted Mr. Barr – including Calexico’s drummer, John Convertino – are more than up to the task to keep it low but make it feel.

“Admit You’re A Monster” is one of those “the title gives the theme away” songs – confrontational but calm and poised; sounding like a very pissed-off but still maintaining his cool Chet Baker, this track sets the table as “How To Escape” asks the question of freeing one’s self from a bad emotional situation.  Which, in many ways is the theme to this album; it’s not a “happy” record; it’s rooted in dark, and at times, painful memories.  “Fond Of Surprises” is (I think) the album’s standout with its vibe/guitar/brushed drums and bass arrangement; “Desperate Tormentors” is upbeat, musically, with its danceable feel, which is ironic with such a title and lyrical content – subtle but deftly scathing.

Drawing from personal experience is always a risky proposition when writing songs and offering them up to the world; you expose yourself in ways that can always be easily misconstrued.  But here, Lincoln Barr has been willing to sacrifice himself to that degree and in the process, offers up a stunning piece of work that’s worthy this early in the year to make a lot of “best of” lists.  It’s one of those albums that need to be heard and experienced and shared.  Because by being so personal, he’s given a universal message that a lot of people can embrace and take to their own hearts, which is the ultimate trip for any musician and his audience.  And with Trembling Frames, Lincoln Barr will have hopefully gained an even greater audience.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Trembling Frames will be released on Friday, February 10th, 2017

http://lincolnbarrmusic.com/

Album Reviews, Music, New Artists

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About the Author

Rob Ross

Rob Ross has been, for good, bad or indifferent, involved in the music industry for over 30 years - first as guitarist/singer/songwriter with The Punch Line, then as freelance journalist, producer and manager to working for independent and major record labels. He resides in Staten Island, New York with his wife and cats; he works out a lot, reads voraciously, loves Big Star and his orange Gretsch. Doesn't that make him neat?

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