AWmusic

Back in June I wrote a review about an artist from New Brunswick, New Jersey, named Brian Bond. In this review I waxed eloquent on Mr. Bond’s ability to write a decent song, well actually, a better than decent song. Well, Brian Bond has done it again with Communipaw. With the help of Keith Carne (drums), Dave Esterman (bass), and Brian Kelly (lead guitar), Bond has crafted some rather interesting musical pieces that are right up there with Elliot Smith, Wilco, Jackson Brown, and Bon Iver. He, again, shows that he is one of the better songwriters out there crafting twelve really good indie/folk/rock/alt-country songs that are both fresh and timeless. As I’ve come to expect from this man, the songs delve into the complicated area of relationships without devolving into self-pity or smarmy, fake romanticism. The songs are direct and straight from the heart.

In the opening track, The Morning Hours, Bond wonders “How did you sleep tonight/just knowing I would hear how/little I mean to you”. Don’t let the quiet introduction and soothing vocals fool you into thinking this is just another shoe-gazer/emo/folk song because it isn’t, just as you think it’s going to fade off the song kicks into gear. The sparse arrangement is suddenly awash with sound, filling all the empty spaces. And this is what I like best about Bonds song-writing, he leaves spaces that allow the songs room to breathe. There is never a gratuitous guitar solo or drum beat out of place nor are there any vocal gymnastics or any studio tricks, embellishments or endless overdubs, reverbs etc. These songs are allowed to just be and that is a trick in and of itself. Too many bands over produce or add too many contrivances that the integrity of the song is often lost, but these songs don’t suffer from ego. Keep Your Eyes On Me, which is also on Bond’s solo CD Ten Thousand Songs, could have been overpowered by the whole band treatment, instead the song becomes a lively song with a catchy hook that keeps you moving to the end.

Another song off Bond’s solo effort, 2:23, lacks the strength and poignancy of his sparsely accompanied vocals but gains a blistering guitar that portrays all the angst you feel in a relationship you know isn’t going anywhere. It’s a nice counterpoint to Bond’s sorrowful ponderings – “How could she know if she’s in love/when her heart don’t know what it means”. The song starts as a typical alt-country tune but about a minute in the guitar takes over and screams the anguish that the singer can’t quite bring himself to express. It’s a harsh contrast to Bond’s clear tenor that I find compelling. Canada is a song recorded live, in the basement perhaps?, and has a great warmth and spontaneous vibe that makes it easily my favourite. I love how it sounds both hokey and sincere while having little to do with the country itself, or at least little that I can discern. It really has an organic, garage-like feel to it that I find unique and interesting.

I have to say that when I first put this CD into my player and listened my heart dropped, I was so in love with Brian Bonds Ten Thousand Songs that I think I had unrealistic expectations. I felt let down and disappointed. I thought, “How am I going to review this? This isn’t my kind of music.” but after listening to this over the course of about a month it has grown on me and I have to say that it’s winding up on my playlists more and more frequently. Songs like Canada; Black Tambourine; Heaven, Who You and Balzhauf won me over. Bond is a talented songwriter and the band knows how to allow those talents to shine while showcasing their own strengths. Communipaw also has an EP – Moving Till The Morning which has a more alt-country feel but still exhibits Bonds writing ability. You can listen to both the full-length CD and the EP here.

You can, as always, go to their MySpace page for info. Brian Bond and his companions are also part of other projects as well, so please visit them and see if there is anything you like – Brian Bond, Know Think (Keith Carne & Dave Esterman), Lonely Acrobat (Brian Kelly), and We Were Born With Rocks In Our Hands (Brian Bond). If you wish to purchase this CD or the EP, Moving Till The Morning, you can contact them here
And, as always, support your indie music community by buying these artists CD’s and going to shows.

Communipaw – Balzhauf
Communipaw – Canada
Communipaw – Keep Your Eyes On Me