Litvar – Being Here
At first glance, this set appears to be a melancholy downer. However, on closer inspection, it could also be an album of filtering, reawakening, acceptance,& moving forward. There was a spell of grief & restoration, but the musicians turned it into something creative, contemporary, & meaningful. Endings & new beginnings can be found on Being Here (Drops July 31/Mother West/41:15) produced by Connecticut’s Litvar.
Originally an indie-alternative band, it’s their 3rd effort. It leans more into a folky, story-driven, song-inspired collection, more rootsy, with a dash of sonic experimentation & electronic soundscapes without that being dominating.
Their PR reads that they had to turn over a new leaf & better understand “when one door closes, another opens.” So, Litvar challenged themselves & proceeded to create this 11-track album that probably served as therapy for them, because the music isn’t a downer. Musically, they traverse the same path as the Scottish band The Blue Nile, though the Nile were a little more intense & creative. They have lush, beautifully constructed tunes like “It Takes Magic” where vocalist Rex Thurstan (guitar) asserts himself well. He continues that level of quality with “Belong” — gently played instruments, precise performances.
What happens as the album progresses is that, in spots, they have good, workable ideas & the playing never falters. They even begin songs with a curious melody, & then somehow it loses propulsion. They get off the ground, but don’t always get lift (on some). The vigor, the affirmation dilutes & while Rex has good vocal competency, “Real Life” is lifeless. Too many galloping drumbeats where more incisive fills (ala Ringo Starr) would’ve given the tune life. I can hear a plausible melody, but maybe it’s the arrangement that needs a tweak & not the song & musicians themselves.
“What Kind of Man” opens with acoustic guitar & is easily digested with some tricky lyrical forays that are admirable. Near-Steely Dan in approach but without their jazzy intricacies & undertones. Thurstan’s vocals are mainstream enough, & the performance is credible. But it’s “Yeah I Know” that has the muscle. Their folk journey is good. There’s an abundance of cliches in the lyrics, but they blend in harmlessly. Their harmonies are tight & well implemented.
Perhaps the only misstep is the ballad “Backstab.” Rex can sing slower songs, but he’s not an easy-listening, middle-of-the-road vocalist. Something to play at last call in a cocktail lounge. The musicianship on the album is always expressive, & Rex sings convincingly well on the majority of the songs.
Highlights – “It Takes Magic,” “Belong,” “What Kind of Man,” “Yeah I Know,” “Stay The Same,” & “When You Come Home.”
Musicians – Joe Lemieux (drums), Violet Falkowski (guitar/vocals/harmonies), & John Blues McCarthy (bass/vocals).
B&W image courtesy of their Bandcamp site. CD @ Bandcamp & https://www.litvar.net/