Almanac
Acronym, 2023
8/10
An album made during the pandemic’s hardest times, the multiple Juno nominee Del Barber wrote these songs on the farm where he lives with his family, and his timeless folk ideas are front and center across the 12 thoughtful tracks.
“Something To Say” gets the listen off to a very warm start, where the glowing pedal steel, punchy drums and Barber’s smooth pipes make for a cozy climate, and “Still Got You” follows with Barber’s vivid storytelling alongside playful drums and meticulous guitar playing.
At the midpoint, “Flash In The Pan” brings grooves and melody into the radiant electric guitar and playful delivery, while “Spade” showcases Barber’s swift singing amid the country shuffling pace of the frisky songwriting.
Approaching the end, the intimate “Me And Jim” uses the mature piano and harmonic singing to tell a story about his friend, and “On My Way Out The Door” exits with a scrappy, vocally strong finish of folk, country and bluegrass ideas.
This is Barber’s 8th studio album, and it’s pretty easy to see why he’s so revered; his songs are relatable, memorable and touch on the human spirit in eloquent, heartfelt ways.
Travels well with: Jarrod Dickenson- Big Talk; Lauren Morrow- People Talk