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There has been a strong current running within the boundaries of
the three previous Peter Bradley Adams records. The thematic
elements have dealt with break-ups, rebuilding relationships, and
recovery of one's self… not necessarily in that order. His latest
release, Between Us, is filled with the same types of musical
beauty and the relaxed lyrical struggle that have filled his previous
outings, but the lack of a common driving theme seems extent. This
new record is more cinematic, taking in pieces of life and exploring
them on their own ground, rather than developing them through a common
emotional state.
That said, Between Us is an amazing record and one that has
a vibe and overall feel that remains distinctly Adams'. The softly
picked acoustic guitar of "I May Not Let Go" that opens
the record is an Adams' trademark and the immediate feeling is of
quiet reflection and hanging with an old friend. These songs are all
familiar and comfortable from the beginning, and the messages slowly
bleed through the comfort of the sound. Throbbing drums and echoing
strings haunt the introduction to "My Love Is My Love" where
it seems Adams is taking stock of how exactly he has lived his life
and how his interactions with his surroundings and the people in them
have influenced his decisions. There is a soft, strong cadence in
the vocal melody that lifts the deeply-produced instruments to a higher
level while maintaining a low feel. This song is one of the greatest
songs I have heard in years, and has a power and passion that has
been rare to find in much of modern music.
Things lighten up a bit in timbre, if not tempo, on tracks like "Don't
Rest Your Weight On Me Now" and "Katy", although the
subject matter remains cloudy and obscured by tangential references.
Adams is at his best when leading you to believe you have pinned down
what he's talking about in a song, only to listen to it again and
hear something completely different in the lyrics. There are touches
of hope in these songs, and deeply rooted beds of pain that are waiting
to be healed, whether actively being sought out or simply being affected
as people touch the singer's life. Some of the most stand-out tracks
fall near the end of the record; "Waltz For The Faithless"
recalls Eastmountainsouth, especially as the female backing
vocals attain the same beautiful touch that much of that early music
contained and the music has a bit less production and a touch more
earthy folkiness imbedded within. "Emily's Rain" is one
of the best songs Adams has written to date. It contains much of what
he has done before, especially musically with its soft acoustic guitars
and lush string beds, but Adams has outdone himself lyrically. "She
will raise the windows high, let the light come streaming in/ though
the wind will burn her eyes, she will learn to breathe again/ all
her life she's looked up to the clouds/ for the rain to fall and break
up this fallow ground…"
As Peter sings on the opening track, "If I hold you tonight,
I may not let go" there is a hopeful flavor to the opening strains
of Between Us. Perhaps I was mistaken originally, and what
this record holds for its theme is one of rebuilding… re-realizing
exactly what life and love may hold for each of us.
-Embo Blake
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Peter
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