I have mentioned in the past that I consider Tamar Berk to be one of the best female singer songwriters around, if not THE best. As she reaches her fourth solo album here, the previous three have all appeared in our Best Album Of The Year lists,
Berk can be gentle, scathing, laidback or in your face and provide you with a song that just engages you. There can be some lazy comparisons to Sheryl Crow or Aimee Mann. Neither is really true, but she can do both. She certainly has Crow's way with a chorus and Mann's emotional depth, but there is much more on show.
Coming from an Indie background allows a willingness to be angular, but also there are killer Guitar Pop songs. If we were using a Crow / Mann meter, the dial would flick more to Mann, but we are not. Certainly, the heart that is constantly on Berk's sleeve is most relevant here.
The variety on show is best explained by the two songs that bookend the 12 here. Good Impression is a wonderful upbeat Pop song about the mid 80s obsession with workouts and self improvement. But the real killer song is Comin' Around To Me Again.
That closer is a song of two halves. The first part is a breathy emotional affair, beautifully sung, but then the song just explodes into a Psych Feedback Guitar sensation that just shakes you up and makes you realise what a talent the lady is.
Compare those songs to what is contained inside. I Don't Mind is more straight ahead, melodic West Coast Pop Rock of the highest order, a song that gets better and better and catchier and catchier as it progresses. But compare that to Sorrow Is Hunting and the stunning Guitar lines and moodiness.
Overall, the album may appear a little quieter than those that precede it, which is not a criticism because Berk always masters melancholy and excels on Millennium Park where moody meets a wonderful Baroque Pop, almost European arrangement.
The quirkier moments resonate best with these ears. The Indie 90s joy of You Trigger Me, a song that you can dance to sounds so fresh.Artful Dodger is part Power Pop, but also enhanced by a splendid Brass arrangement that is more 60s Studio in feel and all this chipperness is matched by lyrical putdowns, the type that Berk does so well.
Good Times For A Change just enhances Tamar Berk's reputation further, no easy task four albums in. Through all the mighty arrangements and surprise directions, the lyrical strength shines through. Listen to this and then buy it. Talent deserves reward!
You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on Vinyl, CD and as a download.
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Thank you DON!!!!!!!!!!!!
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