Tim Barry ‘Lost & Rootless’

By Sarah Scanlon

The singer/songwriter thing is what a lot of members of punk bands are doing to spiral off and try something different with their work, and we’ve seen it a lot in recent years; Chuck Ragan and Dave Hause are two that spring immediately to mind. Tim Barry is from Richmond, Virginia, and as most folks are very aware by now, is the former singer of punk band Avail. Barry keeps his place as one of the best of this crop of punk-singer-turned-acoustic-master with his new record, ‘Lost & Rootless.’

‘Lost & Rootless’ is the singer/songwriter’s 5th studio album, released Nov 28 on Chunksaah Records, and features songs about home, love and life on the road, themes that run through his previous releases as well. His strong songwriting makes it easy for the listener to feel what Barry was living when he penned these tunes.

The first song, ‘No News From North,’ sets the tone for this record. It’s soft and simple, a sad tale of a lonely soul just waiting for someone, “I can’t breathe without you…” It fades out with a wish, “I’d cover the cost of a flight for you to stay one night.” For anyone who is pining for someone far away, this is intensely relateable – especially to the Fest crowd (definitely part of Barry’s fanbase), many of whom may have a significant other they wish were closer.

The whole record is very simple; most songs just his voice, his guitar and a violin provides a haunting backdrop in many. Even though this record is quiet, Barry is able to convey a good deal through just his voice and guitar. Other songs like ‘Older and Poorer’ will have the crowd joining in with clapping hands and ‘Breathe Slow, Let ’em Pass’ picks up with a little more speed as well.

Title track, ‘Lost & Rootless,’ is one of the most powerful. The imagery conjured up by “I’m kinda at the point where I can tell you what time it is by the way the sun comes up through the shades above your bed,” is vivid enough that you can see the dust dancing in the sunbeams coming through the window.

Barry is going on tour with English singer/songwriter Sam Russo this April in the American Southeast, so catch one of their gigs if you can!

SARAH SCANLON

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