Jonathan Vassar and The Speckled Bird "Signs & Wonders"

Triple Stamp Records, 2010

Quietly epic, and classic, Americana

• ‘Signs and Wonders’ is deeply rooted in the better parts of the Americana acoustic folk/country idiom. Vasser doesn’t offer an especially revolutionary exposition of the form, however, an album this heart-wrenchingly written, performed and played, with such precise and thoughtful arrangements deserves the attention of everybody.

• Opening the album with ‘Think of Me’s “Though the light outside dims my mind, I have a sound constitution / By all means I expect to find an apparent loss of resolution”, We are introduced to an unassuming, poetic and intelligent voice. His vaguely Ryan Adams-esque timbre somehow familiar. The emotional ‘Face of my Father’ is a triumph of buoyant sadness with its recollections of “the grace of an old cracked bone”, over some fine banjo and acoustic figures. The rush of quasi-classical strings on ‘The Press Days’ suggest Nick Drake and are a delight, backing up Vasser’s quickly plucked acoustic, and an ambiguous tale of resolute sadness. ‘Black Canyon’ shows a more direct route to a country lineage, and is the work of a very adept and emotionally engaged songwriter, which elevates these songs. Vassey gets to show off his gentle but persuasive voice to surprisingly full effect on ‘Nothing Casts a Shadow’, backed by a subtly deft choir of harmonies, this rootsy and bewitching album gets a suitable send off. ‘Signs and Wonders’ is a beautiful, thoughtful y executed album of personal songs. Each one sounds painstakingly arranged, using only what will cut to the emotional core, which it does so with alarming potency. The Triple Stamp imprint seems to be a by-word of quality for fascinating Americana-hued brilliance. Vassey’s new album is a very worthy addition to that catalogue.