American Dust
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
The New York native and Connecticut resident Chris Berardo released American Dust in 1997, and here it sees the reissue treatment that lets us explore where it all began for this veteran roots rock artist.
The title track starts the listen with warm acoustic guitar, before pounding drums and Berardo’s smooth pipes enter the energetic Americana rocker, and “Old Man’s Eyes” follows with a much calmer pace, where lyrical matter about parental wisdom unfolds with a very intimate, stirring quality.
“Is There Anybody Out There” occupies the middle spot, and it comes with a scrappy and gritty version of roots rock, while “Hard Times For The Lonely” uses spirited guitar and a soulfulness that’s heartfelt and poetic.
“Still Your Friend” and “One Chance” exit the listen, where the former is a live track recorded at 3 am in Larchmont, NY’s Cellar Bar and is an acoustic duo with his brother, Marc, and the latter is a very pretty, folk-influenced finish that showcases the depth of Berardo’s many talents.
Somehow, Berardo avoided worldwide fame, even though the bands he was in during the ‘80s were certainly close to it. This is a great, sincere and timeless record, and we’re all better off for it being easily available again.
Travels well with: Duwayne Burnside- Acoustic Burnside; Bren Holmes- Everything You Never Wanted