Robert Deeble – The Space Between Us
I’m almost inclined to compare Robert Deeble to the late Nick Drake. He has the subtle intensity, the warm, articulate vocalizing depth, & serious, poignant lyrical charm of pastoral storytelling. “The Forest From the Tree,” which opens the LP, is drenched in thick cello, gentle acoustic guitar & a natural musical continuum. Beautiful. Meditative. The remix sounds even better – vocally, close to the late Frank Tovey (“The Liberty Tree”), who, late in his career, had a more muscular rootsy-oriented music.
There are 9 songs proper & 3 binaural secondary mixes to The Space Between Us (Drops Feb 6/Mind Bomb/51:09), his 7th album written, arranged & recorded over 4 years. Though some will find it lush, the Ric Hordinski (ambient & Mando guitars/Moog) & Robert Deeble (guitar/vocals/Wurlitzer/drum loops/electronic ambience) produced tracks are not shallow, or lacking melody. There’s a resonance in the tunes that don’t actually require any bombastic presentation.
The drawback I detected is in only a few songs. The material surges with acoustic sound & its melancholy melodic embellishment, but a few suffer a bit (“Not On Your Team”) when cold electronics are introduced. The ambient sound is fine; the strings are glorious, but the electronics pour too much cold water on it. “Covid Moon” gets Deeble back on track. It’s a thermal instrumental with disembodied voices tinged with fine acoustic guitar & wonderful playing. Excellent atmospheric music. A modern-day swipe at Nick Drake with a gentle touch on Clifford T. Ward — that’s a compliment.
Not all of Deeble’s topics will be agreeable to listeners, but the application by Robert is admirable. Nothing in your face, nothing terribly controversial. His best vocal emerges on “The Attic of Desire,” which is in a low gear but closer to the warmth of a Fred Neil than Drake. Robert’s force lies in his gentleness without going Valium-induced, as many young lo-fi folkies often go. Instead of getting sleepy, a listener will close their eyes & keep the beat with their swaying head.
By the time “Pleasure To Burn” establishes itself, the music takes a firm poetic turn. The music’s still spare instrumentally, but well applied & solid. Chamber pop with a sweet, attractive flavor & not musty, dusty, or antique.
Highlights – “The Forest From the Tree,” “Covid Moon,” “The Attic of Desire,” “Pleasure To Burn,” “Boy Like Me,” “The Forest From the Tree (Mix)” & “Not On Your Team (Mix).”
Musicians – Neal Vickers (guitar), Lacey Brown (drums/vocals), Viktor Krauss & Tony Green (bass), Travis Gore (arco bass), Josh Seurkamp (drums/percussion), Dan Phelps (drums), Stephen Hodges (percussion), Ted Nelson & Sydney Metcalf (cellos), Caterina Longhi & Aleida Gehrels (violas), Bill Mallonee (lap steel), Jordan Walton (harpsichord/vocals), Sage Rose & Chaya Jones (vocals).
An 8pp stitched lyric insert is included. Color image courtesy of Michael Wilson. CD @ https://robertdeeble.com/ & https://robertdeeble.bandcamp.com/album/the-space-between-us