Music Review: Peter Bradley Adams - Leavetaking

Peter Bradley Adams began his singer-songwriter career as one half of eastmountainsouth, whose critically acclaimed album hovered in genres spanning Americana, alt-country, Appalachin folk and mainstream pop. The duo shared both lead vocals and songwriting responsibilities. So it was an intriguing prospect when Adams ventured out to do his debut solo album. Recorded in his home studio, Gather Up showcased a more stripped back version of the sound he had forged with eastmountainsouth. The songs were just as clear and direct, and his vocals just as lightly breathed; but it also revealed a more focused collection of the ethereal alt-folk style that had been started with eastmountainsouth.

Now with his follow-up record, Leavetaking, Peter Bradley Adams enriches and expands the production from his debut, while keeping the style and direction of the songwriting more or less the same. It's a richer record - and a shorter one, as well - that cements him as a consistently strong writer within the scene.

Leavetaking begins with "The Longer I Run", and already exhibits a more 'band' feel to the recording. Singer-songwriter Katie Herzig contributes background vocals to several tracks on the album, and although not similar to eastmountainsouth, it does provide a complementary counterpoint and consistent richness lacking from Peter's debut.

Things continue with "Los Angeles", with an airy and plaintive resonance to the piano and e-bow guitar driven ambiance. "I'll Forget You" ups the intensity a notch, with increased drum presence and a chucking banjo backbone. "Ohio" is perhaps the standout track on the record, offering thick Hammond organ background to a strong mid-tempo track.

The addition of of an all-Peter version of eastmountainsouth's "So Are You To Me" is nice, but doesn't quite reach the bar set by the original. "Keep Us" continues with another slowly contemplative ballad, and things wrap up nicely with "Song For Viola" and its instrumental violin lament, which is heartbreaking and hopeful all in the same breath.

In general, the sound of Leavetaking is more intentionally textured, and shows an obvious progression from a strong home-studio release to a more fully realized experience. Care has been taken to allow for more space when needed, but also more structured arrangement as well. Whether the instrumentation is sparse or more densely layered, it's a richer experience. Gather Up had it's own beauty, but this new approach comes off as more refined. It's a brief record (clicking in at just over thirty-two minutes), but richly rewarding. Fans of both eastmountainsouth and Peter's debut should welcome this excellent new addition.

Article Author: David R Perry

Lost somewhere in the rolling hills of Tennessee, David R Perry can occasionally be found doing dark, unspeakable things to words. Printed words, spoken words, electronically mangled words... really any kind but twittered words.

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