Album Reviews
Manchester
8.0
On his latest solo effort, former Avail frontman Tim Barry sounds even better than on predecessor “Rivanna Junction”. While his gravelly voice is delivering stories about love, friendship, life in general and Texas cops (he doesn’t have anything good to say about ‘em… shocker!), the folky music shines brightly thanks to the use of banjo, violin, piano and mandolin and thought through arrangements.
A lot of former punkrock frontmen are reinventing themselves as singer/songwriters inspired by country and the likes these days. Just think of Chuck Ragan or Joey Cape. Joey Cape’s album was alright but “Manchester” is right up there with Chuck Ragan’s “Feast Or Famine”. There’s nothing insincere about this album and I can just see Mr. Barry writing these songs while chilling on the porch on one of those warm Virginia evenings.
Johnny Cash would be proud to see his legacy live on in “Sagacity Song” while “Ronnie Song” is simply a beautiful ballad. Don’t miss out on this one!
Tom Dumarey
Lacking the talent to actually play in a band, Tom decided he would write about bands instead. Turns out his writing skills are mediocre at best as well.
