YEV – Self-Titled
This is an impressive vocalist who has a great set of pipes but just falls short of a commanding voice. The first 3 cuts are all wonderfully performed pieces with precision & penetrating singing with an indulgent range. However, there’s no varied projection except for hitting notes with pristine elegance. What’s he talking about? Well, it’s the same reason great singers like Robert Goulet & Andrea Bocelli would never be opera singers.
Yev is a talented Ukrainian singer & musician who honors his homeland through his repertoire. And he indeed succeeds. Entertainment-wise, Yev doesn’t yet have (in the music) the character, personality & entertaining drama in his showcase (though he does have an overabundance of soul-stirring moments) that the award-winning Canadian singer Alfie Zappacosta possesses. Alfie adds more spark & torque to his showcases (“Runaround,” “I’ll Give It a Go,” “Can’t Let Go”).
But that doesn’t diminish Yev, not in the least.
It’s a point of performance more than the ability to sing. Yev can sing. Quite well. But he needs to focus on the varied aspects of the scale to give his songs vivid character. A value added. Grape juice is not wine. The accelerator needs to be pushed down harder. Yev (vocals/harmonies/guitars) has everything he needs to grab the collar of music & shake it. He needs an intimidating factor that hasn’t taken up residence in his fine voice. Zappacosta has that wand. Yev needs to find it, & he will. He has excellent natural lubrication in his voice & the songs he has on his debut self-titled LP, produced by Stephen Helvig (Drops April 25/Independent/29:05), as recorded in Minnesota, just need more gasoline. The horsepower is already there.
Yev’s voice will tug at ears, & it should — but he needs to yank on ears in this musical environment. “Hunger” is excellent & “Last Prayer” is more soulful & well-arranged. It’s also the most accessible tune to the unfamiliar American ear. The more religiously inspired public domain tune “Oi Chi To Kin” has well-etched electric guitar atmospherics mixed among the choir-like vocals. Peculiar but interesting.
I have faith in Yev Rosso. His music is pleasant listening. It’s worth giving him a spin. I wish I could sing as good. But I’ll keep trying only in the shower, where no one can hear me. Yev? He should sing to everyone who can hear him. The spirituality of his music comes through clearly.
Highlights – “Hunger,” “Last Prayer,” “Oi Chi To Kin,” ”Kozak’s Lament” & “Bez Mene.”
Color photo courtesy of MinnPost by Jim Walsh. CD cover image courtesy Greg Gorman. CD @ https://yevmusic.com/
