Brad Wolfe & the Moon – Loss – EP
According to the press release this is the first chapter of a three-part Loss, Life & Love Mixtapes – this has been more than a decade in the works. It documents San Francisco’s Brad Wolfe’s (vocals/acoustic guitar/tuba) personal experiences with grief, caregiving & mortality & explores the themes not simply as an end but as something meaningful, with connections & with love. Heavy.
The CD package is quite elaborate for only 6 songs with 6 laminated fold-out panels which includes the lyrics. Wonderfully produced by multi-instrumentalist Gawain Mathews & incorporating intimate folk, Americana, through indie influences. Each song is a personal exploration & the opening songs (“Why Wait,” & “Cover You In Flowers”) like all the others have been recorded pristinely.
The extended play Loss (Dropped Oct.23/Independent/23:04) if listened to closely has some intense lyrics especially the impressive “Cover You In Flowers” with dramatic strings that are not bombastic or pretentious but warmly absorbed through the words Wolfe sings. There’s a progressive rock thread (far from an indie sound) in these songs despite the “indie” tag that would suggest a tinny, economical, under-produced piece. Not so. This is a first-class production. No short cuts are spared. The work itself reminds me of the ambitious music Tony Carey produced for his Planet P (Pink World”) project. The arrangements, the musical extravaganza & production quality of “Too Far Gone” – all here.
The showcase is bright, emotional, & features an overabundance of good songwriting, singing & marvelous instrumentality. Obviously, the theme Brad Wolfe has chosen for this project has been well-researched, written, & planned. Each song holds a captivating melody, & Brad’s vocals are zealous & they embrace a listener in a pleasurable aural moment.
What’s produced here is beyond mere songs. They are sound clusters with a musical breadth that captures intense soundscapes. Wolfe somehow has the right tonality & intonation for such tunes. The album is a concept. The subject’s scope is between optimism, acceptance, sadness, & contemplation. There’s nothing scary about these benevolent songs & this is not a religious album – the songs will cause one to think about their own lives.
Not everything with music is about handclapping, dancing, foot-stomping, funkadelic, drinking, carousing & reminiscing. Instead, Wolfe assesses his time on earth & what is still to come – and something will come. Beautiful classical acoustic guitar decorates the lovey “Driftwood,” & those lyrics will be a 3-tissue listen.
Highlights – “Why Wait,” “Cover You In Flowers,” “Too Far Gone” & “Driftwood.”
Musicians – Gawain (banjo/guitars/bass/keys/accordion/percussion/mandolin), Kyle Caprista & Andrew Laubacher (drums), Brenden Salmon (add’l songwriter), Kyle O’Brien (violin) & Laura King Leigh (bgv).
B&W image courtesy of Brad’s website. CD @ iHeart & https://www.bradwolfe.com/loss