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Radical Face ‘The Family Tree: The Roots’ (Bear Machine)

It’s an interesting concept: In addition to sculpting the lyrics around a family in the 1800s, indie pop-folk artist Ben Cooper (aka, Radical Face) also only used instruments that would have been found in that time period (piano, acoustic guitar, floor tom, voices). Granted, the recording is obviously not of the 19th-century ilk, but the simple, clean and straight-ahead mix only adds to that “good-old days” vibe.

It’s an interesting concept: In addition to sculpting the lyrics around a family in the 1800s, indie pop-folk artist Ben Cooper (aka, Radical Face) also only used instruments that would have been found in that time period (piano, acoustic guitar, floor tom, voices). Granted, the recording is obviously not of the 19th-century ilk, but the simple, clean and straight-ahead mix only adds to that “good-old days” vibe. Cloaking himself in this down-home methodology, Cooper camped out in the tool shed behind his mother’s house in Jacksonville, Fla., for 15 months, writing, recording and tweaking, all by his lonesome. While the assorted hand-clamps, tinkling of the ivories and strums from the guitar create a lush landscape, front and center is Cooper’s vocals, sweet and pure on “Black Eyes,” soaring on “Severus and Stone” and hauntingly beautiful “Ghost Towns.” The Roots is the first in a three-piece installment that focuses on the “Family Tree” theme. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next two!

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