Fountain Pen
Many Hats, 2022
8/10
The guitarist and vocalist Nick Carter births an excellent debut in the area of contemporary folk, where personal songwriting and an acoustic template welcome plenty of musicians and singers into the formula.
“My Guitar Is My Compass” starts the listen with Carter’s eloquent singing and intricate guitar, as Abbie Gardner and Laurie MacAllister contribute soulful backing vocals, and “Comfort In Your Cup” follows with a cozy folk tune that displays Seth Glier’s warm keys and Reed Sutherland’s well timed bass.
In the middle, “Handrail In The Dark” is indeed a darker moment, where Kelly Halloran’s stirring violin and Rob Griffith’s strategic drumming make an impression, while “Arizona Sunsets” is a more breezier affair thanks to Ryan Hommel’s glorious pedal steel.
Deeper still, “Old Hat” is just Carter’s poetic voice and agile guitar to illuminate his timeless song craft, and “Rumble Of The Train” exits with a loud and thumping version of roots rock that recruits Ellis Paul’s inimitable pipes.
Carter’s lyrical imagery is quite animated, and the music often tender, sometimes rugged, and always relative to the human experience. He may have gotten a late start on being a songwriter, but the New England resident is making every moment of his artistic vision worth repeated listens.
Travels well with: James Keelaghan- Second-Hand; Helen Townsend- Love Lies ‘N’ Leaving