Big Music Challenge: Jason Berk’s Real Love

ayetalian:

Jason Berk
Real Love

Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Worth It Factor: Completely

Hot damn if this isn’t a catchy record. Despite the lack of inherently nerdy content in the lyrics, California singer-songwriter Jason Berk has a way with arrangements similar to say, Tally Hall or Jonathan Coulton. The twelve tracks that make up Real Love are mostly happy-go-lucky with its title not as a question of authenticity but a joyful, unabashed admission of it. Berk performs anything he can get his hands on and used that same plucky DIY spirit to record this album. Every drumbeat, guitar strum, and accordion bellow is all his doing. There is a slight Blues Traveler/Sister Hazel timbre to his voice but if you can get over your guilty pleasure enjoyment of all three (because don’t we all secretly love “Run Around”?) you’ll be just fine with this record. The string-heavy “Start Anew” is a definite highlight, along with “Don’t Let Me Go”.

If this record could be faulted for anything it would be its definite fun cheesiness. This isn’t some revelatory album changing the face and sound of solo singer-songwriter white males everywhere and honestly, I’m fine with that. Berk owns his sound in an impassioned way that won’t get on your nerves.

Yeah yeah yeah blah blah blah! Send me more music! Ohman! I’ll write up a storm about it!

Thank you so much! This is fabulous!