Who Will You Believe
New West, 2024
10/10
Listen to Who Will You Believe
The brainchild of Joe Pernice, this is the first Pernice Brothers album in 5 years, and it features Bob Pernice, Patrick Berkery, Laura Stein, Liam Jaeger, Michael McKenzie and Joshua Karp, plus others, for 12 songs of distinct Americana.
The title track opens with Pernice’s warm and inimitable voice alongside crisp drums and cozy guitar playing that’s even a bit dreamy, and “Look Alive” follows with an upbeat flavor of retro ideas that hint at folk-rock and are textured playfully.
Advancing towards the middle, “December In Her Eyes” offers a rich and melodic moment that benefits much from bright brass and orchestral strings, while “Hey, Guitar” is a rugged and gritty burst of searing guitar acrobatics that flirts with arena rock appeal.
Approaching the end, the lush “I Don’t Need That Anymore” welcomes the always stunning Neko Case to the powerful and flowing duet of sublime beauty, and “The Purple Rain” exits with a hazy mood, subdued horns and the Choir! Choir! Choir! in attendance.
Pernice’s career has been lengthy and accomplished, with plenty of full band and solo work. He’s also written for TV and has both poetry and fiction books to his credit. An artist whose name belongs in the same sentence as Paul Westerberg, Lou Barlow or Stephen Malkmus, this is a wise and diverse set of songs that would suit the aging punk as well as the nostalgic folkie.
Travels well with: Caroline Rose- The Art Of Forgetting; The Nude Party- Rides On