LIFE AND LOVE AND DAVE
Known for his lovelorn lyrics as a successful independent
singer/songwriter, Dave Barnes enters some blusier territory on his major label
debut,
Me and You and The World.
While tried and true fans might wonder if signing with a label inhibited
Barnes’ artistic creativity, they will be pleased with the result. While the
album is a potpourri of songs about love, life, social justice and faith,
Barnes’ vocals and simplistic melodies hit the mark.
Me and You and The
World, produced once again by Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Matt Wertz), begins
with the John Mayer-esque “Brothers & Sisters,” finding Barnes and his crew
rounding some pretty high notes on a chorus that chants “
I believe that we can change the world.” Along this same line comes
the catchy “Good World Gone Bad,” with a message that only love can triumph.
Songs such as the ragtime gospel flavored “Carry Me Through” and “Believe”
(with Brooke Fraser on BGVs) speak blatantly of Barnes’ faith. And “10,000
Children” gives voice to a new generation trying to reconcile materialistic
culture with the extreme poverty of Third World countries: “
10,000 children are my invitation to change…
Prayers and money should not be confused/But I pray both are still used/Only
love can save us all.”
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There are also plenty of love songs to go along with the
more poetic do-something-now statements. “When a Heart Breaks” is the best tune
on the album (if not the most commercial) and could easily be recorded by
Rascal Flatts—the perfect blend of heart-wrenching country ballad with just
enough pop sensibility. There are also plenty of catchy tunes about married
life, finding Barnes teaming up with friend Gabe Dixon on “Someday,” the melody
as memorable as the lyrics.
And while the only misstep may have been adding a second
verse to “On A Night Like This” (if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it), new and old
fans alike can’t refute the fact that “Until You” is the preeminent pop track. It’s Dave’s first single. You will be hearing it at radio. This guy’s
changing the world one song at a time.
–Lindsay
Williams