Tim Barry-28th & Stonewall
Suburban Home
January 26, 2010

I'm a huge fan of musicians that also have the ability to tell a good story. Strong songwriting full of memorable music also helps my enjoyment of the artist, but I can easily get sucked into the story, finding myself enbedded in the words coming out of the singer's mouth. Sometimes that makes up for a song that isn't all too strong. Luckily, Tim Barry's fourth full length is full of wonderful stories and acoustic, singer/songwriting that keeps me listening and enjoying my ears can take in.

While no song on the album is quite as compelling as "Prosser's Gabriel," each song on this album lives up to the high expectations that of a new Tim Barry album. His gravelly voice exerts so much emotion and meaning, whether singing about a slave uprising or trying to pick up a girl at college ("Downtown VCU"). There is something truly inspiring about the way Barry presents these songs, from the horn filled blues jam of "Will Travel" to the piano driven tearjerker in "Moving On Blue," the very next song (its quite a contrast going from such a party atmosphere to such a somber one).

Catchy songs and well thought out lyrics combine for one hell of an album. Whether by himself or being accompanied by other musicians, Barry provides each song with a full sound, giving the listener an earful of meaning in the process.

Written by: RF
BACK