Emotion has always been at the heart of
Glen Hansard
's music, as he uses his songs to express his feelings about life's multiple sorrows and sustaining joys. So it makes sense that he would make an album that found room for some potent soul and R&B influences along with his traditional brand of indie folk. 2018's
Between Two Shores
is very much a
album, but the use of horns and keyboards on these sessions give the material a noticeably more soulful feel, and
Hansard
's vocals push the emotional envelope harder than he has in the past.
has the good sense not to pretend he's
Otis Redding
or
Al Green
on
, but he fills these songs with genuine passion and heart without excess histrionics. On tunes like "Lucky Man," "Movin' On," and "One of Us Must Lose,"
's delivery is full of cool fire, low key but deeply felt, and he and his musicians are willing to turn up the heat on "Roll on Slow" and "Wheels on Fire," giving the tracks some potent muscle that adds to the gravity of
's literate but urgent lyrics. Most of
's recordings have been projects with clean lines and skillful execution, and
is no exception, but he shows a willingness here to step just a bit outside his comfort zone, and it serves him well. The production, simple and strong, makes the most of the fine work of
and his associates, and all in all,
is an effort that will please his fans while showing he's still learning new tricks in the art of record making, and he's putting them to good use. ~ Mark Deming