Edge Of Everywhere
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
The first album from the singer-songwriter Doug Levitt, the aptly titled Edge Of Everywhere documents a decade of Greyhound bus travel and showcases his alluring baritone pipes and warm acoustic guitar playing.
“Cold Comfort” opens the listen with smooth singing, warm piano and crisp drums making for a sincere landscape, and “Edge Of Everywhere” follows with breezy acoustic guitar amid the poetic vocals that emit much beauty.
Halfway through, the intimate storytelling of “Buddy Gray” carries a darker spirit that welcomes soulful backing vocals, while the spirited electric guitar of “Disaster Can Wait” helps make this a lush, reflective album highlight that has Levitt hitting some pretty high notes.
Nearing the end, the stirring “Highway Signs” is full of timeless folk ideas that radiate much authenticity, and “Two-Week Warrior” exits with a bare, hushed delivery of eloquent and memorable songwriting.
Levitt fleshed these songs out in bus stations, prisons and shelters he’s played via a 120,000 mile bus tour, and he brings a cathartic approach that involves a lot of soul searching on this excellent debut.
Travels well with: Trapper Schoepp- Siren Songs; Derek Hoke- Electric Mountain