I have been only a casual follower of Brian Bond before receiving his latest release, Fire & Gold, earlier this year. I downloaded his Ten Thousand Songs EP last year and admired his band, Communipaw (with brother PJ), from afar but that was the extent of it. Nothing could really prepare me for what I was about to hear on Fire & Gold though. Two years in the making, Brian Bond’s Fire & Gold is a stunning pop masterpiece by a relatively unknown from New Brunswick, New Jersey, a place more touted for its punk bands. Apparently, anonymity suits Brian Bond well.
Brian Bond is not your typical acoustic singer/songwriter. He moves freely never limiting himself from song to song. Bond’s expansive pop reach leaves no rock unturned on Fire & Gold. Yet there is a bold intimacy achieved throughout Fire & Gold’s extensive reach. Bond’s lyrics are incredibly touching and ripe with sentiment. Instrumentally there is a remarkable depth here as Bond adds almost psychedelic elements to his compositions. Bond even explores the orchestral, as he is backed by a string quintet for one song. His songwriting, while polished, possesses such innocence and warmth that washes over and envelopes the listener. Fire & Gold achieves a striking charm that is impossible to dismiss and only grows stronger with each listen.
Brian Bond is that rare artist that practically begs (and deserves) to be heard by a much wider audience. Fire & Gold is a magical listening experience and it seems to only scratch the surface of where Bond could be heading. The album marks the beginning for one of the most promising singer/songwriters I have come across in years. Brian Bond should be anonymous no more.
Genre: Singer/Songwriter/Pop
RIYL: Jeff Buckley, Ken Stringfellow, Jeremy Enigk, Mark Kozelek, Sufjan Stevens
Label: Self-Released
The North Country
02%20The%20North%20Country.mp3
House For An Easy Heart
03%20House%20For%20An%20Easy%20Heart.mp3
Keep Your Eyes On Me
