Dave Barnes CD Review

Since he released his 2002 freshman EP Three, Then Four, Dave Barnes has been a well-oiled machine in the indie music scene’s college and club circuits. How’d he do it? An effortless ability to draw fans to himself, plus an effective relationship with co-producer Ed Cash. On top of that – he has a way of conveying and capturing the human heart through his lyrics that other songwriters fail to touch.

The follow up to his strong 2004 full-length release, Brother, Bring the Sun, Dave Barnes’ new 11-song collection celebrates southern culture, the blues, and love, sweet love. Chasing Mississippi is an appropriate title for the album, which sets Barnes loose to carve a newer niche for his sound – modern bluesy-rock in the vein of Marc Broussard. He sprinkled his signature folk with blues in the past, but it is even more evident on Mississippi. The disc’s sole disappointment is that there seems to be less of an overall focus on lyrics and songwriting and a greater emphasis on the funky bass, the soulful guitar riffs, and all things groove-worthy.

“A Lot Like Me” opens up the album, where Barnes represents every man trying to play the hero in order to get the girl’s number. But he’s doesn’t get an attitude in the slightest; instead just being honest. “Everybody But You” follows with clever lyrics attached to a rock-radio groove.

“Someday, Sarah” is the disc’s token love poem. (“Her laughter peals like thunder…/ Someday Sarah, you will be my baby.”) Lyrics can come off as cheesy here, but full of sentiment nonetheless. “Greyhound,” “Stay Away,” and “Jackson” fill out the middle of the disc with nod-your-head (if not tap-your-feet) music and straightforward lyrics. But the standout track is easily number six. “Miles to Go” beckons back to Brother, Bring the Sun’s “What Am I Gonna Do” for its hopeful poise and message of a love on a journey much greater than what is found on Earth. (“Don’t give up and don’t give in/ Someday we’ll be stronger than/ But there’s still miles to go.”) This song is so appealing and has such a great hook that it makes you wish there were ten other tracks like it.

“I Have and Always Will” is the acoustic final track and is similar to Barnes’ earlier music. And it’s the token song to play at a wedding: Underneath all your white/ My lady, my love, my bride/ In your darkest hour/ I’ll love you still/ I have and I always will. On the whole, Chasing Mississippi isn’t as lyrically or creatively fulfilling as his previous compilations, perhaps because he’s set a high standard for himself in the past. But it is musically cohesive and pleasing as a collection. The ultimate test: It’s been spinning in my car’s CD player for close to a week now, and it’s still got miles to go.