Kevin Barker

You & Me

(Gnomonsong)

Record Review by Adam McKibbin

While You & Me is Kevin Barker’s debut solo full-length, he’s hardly a new kid on the block – and he’s probably not new to your music collection, either, having played along the likes of Devendra Banhart, Vetiver, and Joanna Newsom (who shows up on piano and organ on a couple tracks here).

Having assumed the spotlight, Barker proves himself to be a more than capable frontman.  You & Me has a steady grace and charm to it, highlighted by some breezy melodies and inventive guitar playing.  The album is absent any of the quirks you’ve come to expect from Banhart or Newsom, keeping more in tune with the easygoing and classic-feeling vibe of Vetiver. 

One of the clear highlights comes right out of the gates, as Barker opens with “Little Picture of You,” a country-kissed bit of folk that’s both hard-luck and feel-good.  He’s aided by Lily Chapin and Eric Johnson (of Fruit Bats) on backing vocals, and there’s a tasteful jam toward the end that doesn’t overstay its welcome.  To some extent, Barker has shown his full hand at that point – and there’s a little lag later in the album – but it’s a good hand to have, and one that we’ll hopefully have more occasions to hear Barker play.