Springtime in A Foreign City
Self-Released, 2017
8/10
Listen to Springtime In A Foreign City
An album that’s the result of wandering the globe for 20 years, Wisconsin’s Sonofmel brings in a large handful of musicians to help flesh out these poetic, wise and genuine stories.
“Bad Dreams” starts the listen with playful plucking before soothing acoustic guitar in the vein of Elliott Smith enters, as the deep vocals flow with an inimitable delivery that’s as expressive as it is alluring, and “All Hallows’ Eve” follows with a similar organic approach where spoken word is complemented with some ambience.
Elsewhere, “Hello From Johnny Cash” brings in harmonicas and accordions for the soulful Americana highlight, while “River Jordan”gets upbeat in an almost gospel fashion with plenty of adventurous and timeless instrumentation.
Late in the disc, “Springtime In a Foreign City” puts piano on display as brushed percussion helps birth a folksy rhythm, and “Hard Roll” ends the listen musically busy where organs add much to the warm, inviting demeanor of the ideal exit to a very unassuming affair.
A record very much aligned with a transient lifestyle, you’ll hear animal sounds, water, a train, and a match being lit, among others, as Sonofmel pens a very humble and cozy effort that’s all substance and no flash. Excellent packaging, too, as the eye catching cover art comes with a small booklet that gives the backdrop of each song.
Travels well with: The Building- Petra; A Girl Called Eddy- Been Around