Rating: NNNN
Few musicians look as comfortable playing a guitar as Afie Jurvanen, aka Bahamas. Live, the Barrie-born soul-folk musician often breaks into longish instrumental passages, his fingers flying up and down the fretboard, earning him applause and wolf whistles. On record, though, he’s careful not to indulge in flash of any kind, using his soulful picking solely to serve the song.
And his second album offers plenty of standout songs. Like on his Pink Strat debut, a few hint at In Need Of Medical Attention-era Joel Plaskett and Haligonian folk hero Al Tuck. Barchords also shares Pink Strat’s lazy-Sunday bedroom intimacy – cosy with close-miked, near-spoken vocals, simple arrangements and (occasionally hokey) lyrics that let you in on the workings of his heart.
This time around, though, female backing vocals add interest and drama to what is essentially a rich batch of breakup songs that somehow leave you feeling good. The ever-relaxed Jurvanen, after all, is an expert at bringing the good vibes.
Top track: Be My Witness
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