Pearl

Album Review

Dave Crossland blends his warm, mellow vocals with an enticing acoustic instrumental mix on Pearl. He'll remind listeners of a cross between David Wilcox and Jack Johnson, though he knows how, when the occasion calls for it, to rock (as on the choruses of "Hard to Say"). Listening to Crossland string his words together, it's clear that he's a poet with a guitar, but he also seems to have spent a lot of time making sure he got Pearl's sound right. The arrangements on "Easy Money" and the title cut create what might be described as a mellow folk-rock vibe, a vibe that works very well with his vocal style and lyrics. This approach, complete with mandolin and pedal steel, provides an enticing atmosphere for the lovely "Home." Other songs add oddities like trumpet and trombone into the mix to good effect. Crossland also shows an ability, as the album progresses, to blend more up tempo pieces like "Jennifer" into the mellow mix to keep things from falling into too comfortable a groove. There are also fun ditties like "I Wonder," deep in the set list. In a field (singer-songwriter) where it's pretty hard to separate oneself from the pack, Crossland has recorded an album that reflects his distinctive style. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide