Rating: NNNN
Home Life is set in the places Andrew Cedermark has called home: his native New Jersey Charlottesville, Virginia, where he went to university and New York City. He sings about growing up and not growing up, making friends, not making friends, finding love, losing love – the type of stuff that could be trite and boring in less capable hands.
Cedermark’s intimate approach, however, cuts through any heart-on-sleeve songwriter clichés. His mumbling drawl is introverted, whether it’s whispering or shouting, but never feels forced. It works well alongside his guitar, which either coos or bombastically breaks out on its own – not surprising considering he’s a former Titus Andronicus guitarist. This also explains how he rocks out so convincingly. On At Home, he picks up cues from Bruce Springsteen (harmonica and all), though, true to form, his anthem is more dejected. “Don’t follow me,” he sings, “cuz I’m going home to nothing.”
Top track: Heap Of Trash
