Broken English
Nettwerk, 2022
8/10
A Portland artist with an affinity for folk-rock, Eddie Berman recruits the multi-instrumentalist Gabe Feenberg and drummer Max MacVeety for these very well thought out 11 tunes that thematically surround isolation and its effects on work, family, technology and community.
“Taurus” opens the record with warm, precise instrumentation as Berman’s raw, eloquent vocals are met with cozy guitar and plenty of atmosphere, and “Skin Of The Earth” follows with fluid drumming alongside gentle piano as Berman’s more hushed voice resonates a timeless folk quality.
Deeper still, “Time Waits For No Man” sounds like it should be played near a campfire with its poetic Americana climate, while the title track flows with a cosmic feel under the rootsy, cautious approach. “The Wheel”, which might be the best song present, then offers a meticulous melody surrounding the articulate and stirring folk sounds.
Near to the end, “Leviathan” possesses much bare beauty that builds into a nearly cathartic display, and “Song Of Joy” exits the listen with chunky banjo complementing the playful vocals and slightly Celtic angle.
You might think, considering the wordplay, that Broken English was penned during the pandemic. However, it was written in 2019, but laid down during lockdown, which forced the album to be made remotely. Berman and company did a great job, though, and the album actually sounds live, spontaneous and captures a very moving and literate spirit that embraces all the hallmarks we love about folk music.
Travels well with: Lydia Luce- Dark River; Andrea Von Kampen- Old Country