Sometimes, an album just comes along and smacks you right upside the head with just how utterly fantastic it is. You know the kind I’m talking about. Like when you first heard Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” or U2’s “Joshua Tree,” and you just kind of stood there in awestruck wonder thinking, “Man, this is some deliciously good sonic therapy people.”
Well, smack dab in the middle of our socially distanced hellscape, Justin Levinson goes and does exactly that with his fifth album “Collamer Circle.” Like sinking into a well-worn leather couch with a warm cup of your favorite beverage, this record just envelops you with its cozy, homely charm, all the while wrapping you in thought-provoking, soul-stirring lyrical melodies.
Levinson’s Vermonter roots resound passionately throughout this layered and evocative album. There’s an infectious maturity that oozes from the audial grooves here, no doubt a product of his collaboration with fellow Vermont homeboy and composer extraordinaire, Ben Patton. It’s like they’ve managed to mix their own little batch of musical maple syrup, sticky, sweet and unmistakably made in Vermont.
The space “Collamer Circle” occupies is kind of a soft rock land space with hard pop jutting out at intervals. The lyrics are uncomplicated but profound, the kind of tracks you just casually hum along to until you catch what Levinson’s actually saying and go “Huh, that’s damn deep.” It’s a brilliant little exercise in the ‘less is more’ philosophy of music.
“Burn Your Whole World” and “Madeline, For The Win” are like a tour de force through the emotional mania of modern relationships, while “I Wasn’t Capable” and “Then and There” posses an introspection that’s as startling as it is poignant. There’s a kind of lyrical sorcery at play here that’s part and parcel of Levinson’s narrative charm.
The instrumentals from the lustrous strumming of guitar strings to the resonating depth of the bass, each note harmonizes to form an irresistible pull towards the core of each song. Patton’s treatment here deserves special mention, it’s like he’s managed to convert Levinson’s very soul into tuneful strokes on an audial canvas.
“Collamer Circle” is an album that reminds you why music is such a primal force for humans. It’s a beacon of hope in these grim times, the kind of record that cuts through cynicism and despair to remind you of the enduring power of love, resilience, and, well, darn good melody.
So, if you’re looking for something that’s gonna hold your hand and take you on a reflective sonic journey, get your hands on “Collamer Circle.” Trust me, this is a gem of an album that’s got “masterpiece” etched into each beat. Justin Levinson, you sly fox, you’ve gone and done something fantastic here. As always, though, don’t take my word for it. Give it a spin and watch the magic unfold.
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