Balance Problems - The fair weather field guide

Balance Problems is Brack Cantrell, a Texan student with a head full of ideas. He used to be in post-hardcore outfit Sky Eats Airplane and also played guitar for Dan Hunter's power-pop project PlayRadioPlay! (now called Analog Rebellion). He then followed a solo route to create Balance Problems which 'The fair weather field guide' is the second full-length. Under this name, he records acoustic and indie songs, a proof of his creativity's diversity.

This new album is different from what Balance Problems has released before, approaching folk influences to create something less happy and cheerful. Maybe the guy wants to be taken more seriously. It's still very chill and will make you want to lie down under the sun, but it has a less carefree feeling. There's a lot of mandolin ('Brither Fungus'), he also plays mouth organ ('Digger's camp') and xylophone ('All ears now'). A simpler song like 'Siwah' will sound more familiar to the fans, with its upbeat and freewheeling tone. Cantrell is also a good singer, always in tone, showcasing his voice's sweetness that works the best on stripped-down tracks like 'Paint on the barn'. Closer 'Prime mover' stands out from the rest as it takes an epic turn at its half when a full band comes in for the first and only time on the album. Balance Problems doesn't have the emotional power of a Cassino, but he's still good at what he does.

'The fair weather field guide' may confuse some fans at first, embracing a folk-ish sound with many instruments added to Balance Problems' sound; but, when used to it, they'll realize Cantrell managed to do what he wanted to do. They'll probably still pick the first album, 'Morning sun', over this one though. It's a simple and pretty album, just nothing incredible.

3.5/5

Recommanded if you like:
Cassino, Alive In Wild Paint, Daphne Loves Derby
Recommanded if you like:
Wolftron, The Apathy Eulogy, Chase Coy

www.myspace.com/balanceproblems
(Self-released, 2009)