The keen reader will remember Alec Berlin, eclectic guitarist and composer from NYC. When featuring his past single ‘Flatbush Jaywalk’, we wrote: “a wonderful record that’s eclectic and energetic, yet melodious and poignant”. You see, the strength of Berlin’s artistic output is the way he conceptualises his guitar playing. He’s not ‘shredding’ for the sake of it, he’s drawing melodies, building songs, and using his guitar as a sort of alternative vocal tone, making it the centrepiece of his compositions.
Earlier in October, Berlin returned with an EP collecting some of his latest works, ‘Life in the Bog’. In it, listeners will be able to connect with Alec’s aesthetic, an identity he built in a lifetime as a professional musician performing in and around NYC.
Introduced by title-track ‘Life in a Bog’, the record shows instantly its true colours. After a mellow opening, we are catapulted into cerebral yet friendly progressive rock, playing with dissonances and witty harmonic material. ‘What I Wish I Had Said’ shuffles the cards with accessible soft rock, in which we can appreciate the expressive power of Berlin’s guitar.
‘Iota (Not One)’ and ‘President’s Day’ continues in the mellow mission, all being excellent tunes to listen to and rejoice. ‘ROYGBIV’ makes one last incursion into more cerebral, technical genres, such as fusion and jazz, closing the record in charming fashion.
Overall, a great effort from Alex Berlin, showcasing his talent for composition.
Recommended! Discover ‘Life in a Bog’ on Spotify:
