Leavetaking

Album Review

Roots rock that leans more towards the easy listening side, which could also very well possibly appeal to the young pups due to its modern production — you could certainly say that's a fair assessment of the second full-length effort by Peter Bradley Adams, 2008's Leavetaking. In a time of popular music where an increasing amount of new releases are becoming more and more slick, it's a pleasant surprise to hear stripped down music — focusing heavily on Adams' breathy singing style and understated guitar and piano playing. This aforementioned approach that Adams specializes in is probably best sampled on the album opening ditty, "The Longer I Run," while he also offers such "late night listening" tracks as "Keep Us," and even replicates Rufus Wainwright's signature vocals (that is, if Wainwright was a guitarist rather than pianist) on "Under My Skin." Leavetaking would provide the perfect soundtrack at your favorite local coffeehouse.