David Berkeley's 'Strange Light' delivers enjoyment, tranquility
Kate Bissinger
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Culture
Perhaps one of the most inspiring, vocally talented, but tragically unknown singer/songwriters is David Berkeley. Nothing short of fantastic can be said about his new album "Strange Light."
Even if your ear is not normally tuned to the soft melodic strums of a guitar and banjo, songs from this album will no doubt impress for their soothing plethora of instrumentals, but also for their catchy yet intensely mature lyrics.
One tune entitled, "Halloween Parade" confronts societies' inability to propose anything but fake ideals leaving its citizens misguided, parading their hypocrisy for the world to see. Berkeley sings: "Here's a case you will not crack. It's a character attack. It's the Halloween parade. There's a grin, there's a grave. There's a boy who won't behave, it's the Halloween parade."
Another song entitled "Sweet Auburn" paints the picture of a girl who is, of course, out of reach. The song is delightfully seductive, yet charmingly playful. Berkeley flirtatiously articulates the lyrics: "Sweet Auburn. I haven't the chance, I'm sure. Curves like a riverbank. Makes a church man stray."
"Strange Light" serenades the senses with both instrumental and vocal beauty. It also entertains the mind through deep lyrics dashed with a bit of coy flair making it one album that shouldn't be overlooked.
Even if your ear is not normally tuned to the soft melodic strums of a guitar and banjo, songs from this album will no doubt impress for their soothing plethora of instrumentals, but also for their catchy yet intensely mature lyrics.
One tune entitled, "Halloween Parade" confronts societies' inability to propose anything but fake ideals leaving its citizens misguided, parading their hypocrisy for the world to see. Berkeley sings: "Here's a case you will not crack. It's a character attack. It's the Halloween parade. There's a grin, there's a grave. There's a boy who won't behave, it's the Halloween parade."
Another song entitled "Sweet Auburn" paints the picture of a girl who is, of course, out of reach. The song is delightfully seductive, yet charmingly playful. Berkeley flirtatiously articulates the lyrics: "Sweet Auburn. I haven't the chance, I'm sure. Curves like a riverbank. Makes a church man stray."
"Strange Light" serenades the senses with both instrumental and vocal beauty. It also entertains the mind through deep lyrics dashed with a bit of coy flair making it one album that shouldn't be overlooked.
