Singer-songwriter Sam Barber releases his sophomore long player, Broken View, co-produced by Barber and Joe Becker (“Indigo,” “Straight and Narrow”), with additional songs co-produced by Aaron Dessner (Taylor Swift, Noah Kahan).
Across a baker’s dozen of tracks, on Broken View, Barber explores the intricacies of simply living, including motifs of loss, self-discovery, and love.
Originally from Missouri, Barber shot to fame via TikTok, with his cover of “Simple Man,” the well-known song by Lynyrd Skynyrd. After auditioning for American Idol, Barber advanced to Hollywood, but nothing much came of it. In 2024, her dropped his debut album, Restless Mind, featuring “Indigo” and “Straight and Narrow.” The album quickly went Gold.
Billed as a country artist, Barber’s sound is more folk and folk-rock than country. For some reason, his music conjures up suggestions of Creed.
A personal favorite because of its low, growling guitars and rumbling percussion, “Borrowed Time” travels on a grunge-flavored melody. The motion of the harmonic flow is approachable, and, as the song builds, the motion takes on a wall-of-sound effect.
One of the best tracks on the album, “Far Past” allows Barber to strut his voice, at once wistful and a bit weathered. The drums on this track are stellar, offering a delicious, syncopated rhythm.
“Just a Kid” reveals a retro, ‘90s-flavored melody, vaguely reminiscent of Pearl Jam. Indeed, Barber’s vocals elusively resemble those of Eddie Vedder, which is a good thing. Arranged well, the song is drenched in passionate emotions.
The title track begins like a low-slung folk song, then adds bass resonance, followed by ramping up to a beguiling folk-rock flow that undulates and glides with appealing style. Once again, the rounded tones of the drums add an irresistible sense of rotund textures.
Hints of Celtic aromas roll through “The More I Hope,” which finds Barber tightening up his phrasing. Whereas “I Will Follow” rolls out on elegiac tones, with tints of gospel surfaces – akin to a dirge-like hymn.
“Hope It Never Rains” ties the album off with dark, grungy colors. The highlights of this track are the rasping inflection of Barber’s vocals, the ebbing and rising guitars, and the flat reverberation of the drums.
On the heels of the success of Restless Mind, with Broken View, Sam Barber proves his first album was not a fluke.
Discover more about Sam Barber here.
The album was produced by Sam Barber and Joe Becker with one song additionally produced by Aaron Dessner. It was primarily recorded by Joe Becker and Tyler Bryant at Crosstie Studios, with recording assistance by Lake Wilkinson; with some recording by Joe Becker at Outlaw Foundry Studio and Bella Blasko at Long Pond with Gillian Pelkonen. It was mixed by Ryan Hewitt in Nashville, TN and mastered by Dave Huffman at Chris Athens Masters, Austin, TX
Musicians on the album are Sam Barber on vocals, acoustic and electric guitars and banjo; Tyler Bryant on acoustic and electric guitar and bass; Aaron Dessner on acoustic and electric guitars, piano drums, percussion, synth and bass; Luc Nyhus on electric guitar; Phil Anthony on bass and upright bass; Kevin McGowan on drums and percussion; Luisa Marion on background vocals and fiddle; Seth Taylor on acoustic guitars, banjo and mandolin; Joe Becker on bass, drums, percussion, keys, programming and piano; Avery Anna on background vocals.