Album Feature Friday: “Somerville” by Pavlovich

There is something Leonard Cohen or Bob Dylan about Max Bouzinov’s voice. It’s not the prettiest or perfected voice in the world, but it doesn’t need to be and he doesn’t make any apologies for it. The Dylan reference comes out most in his adaptation of  Shel Silverstein’s “I’m Tired”. He doesn’t SOUND like Bob, but the idea is kind of the same there, if you can dig. I always find it incredibly interesting to see songwriters take a work from a poet and mold it into something new for themselves. On “Sing Together Again” the gravely textures come right back out…and they are welcomed by these ears.

Musically, this is another wonderful Dirt Floor creation with Eric Lichter playing many of his always brilliant parts. This time around the team also roped in MorganEve Swain on fiddle and it works fantastically. She adds a real grace and beauty over the top of many of the arrangements here.

‘To Fennario’ is my favorite tune of the bunch. It feels the most sincere and real to me. The songwriters voice starts at just above a whisper and the musicianship choices are great. There are some really beautiful harmonies during the little breaks as well that are to die for.

Over all its a very happy sound record. Tunes like ‘Ol’ Man Simo’n have a joyful undertones. The music has an uptempo lean and even where it has a number of instruments in the mix, has a very warm and even tone to it. Making it a pleasant listen and very approachable.