Split the Country, Split the Streetby Anonymous

Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings

May 23, 2005: This is Kevin's strongest collection of songs to date - songs that overflow with beauty, despair, hope, humility, and unflinching honesty - an eclectic mix of songs ranging from folk and country-tinged ballads, to indie rock gems - abundant with first-rate tracks that vary in style, tempo, mood, and story. It is a brilliant album from start to finish, from the curious opening bars of "Cotton Crush", which tick-tocks with anticipation like a time bomb before the song explodes into a full wall of sound that will level you. It changes over quickly to the jaunty, hands-in-your-pockets shuffles of "Afterparty". "No Time Flat" is a biting personal and political statement brimming with cynicism and truth. The true jewel of this album, though, is the heartbreakingly beautiful "Alabama Acres" and features some of the best solo acoustic guitar lines you will likely come across. There are truly near-perfect moments, as in "Keep Ringing Your Bell" which features some of the album's best lyrics, and the addition of his new electric violinist gives new warmth, richness, and body to the song, while you hear Kevin's fingers slide over the acoustic guitar strings with a personal, bare honesty you have to hear to appreciate. This is undoubtedly the album that will put Kevin on the map - consistently brilliant songwriting and performances on every track. My favorite moment is the instrumental that comes on in the beginning and end of the ninth track, but you'll have to buy it to discover it, to feel and experience it for yourself.