Bering Strait - Bering Strait

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Free Music Notes for Bering Strait

Free Music Review: Forget all the background noise.
Hit: 5 Stars

Focus on the music.

Because, between the six of them, the artists that comprise the band, Bering Strait, are some of the most talented musicians I've heard. They have the sound, they are struggling for an identity and to find their true musical style and audience. Because they're seeking acceptance as country artists, they may struggle longer than they need to. Bering Strait finally got a CD off the ground with Universal South. This initial CD, although lacking in some production values, (some gimmicks are used, not enough variety or risk is taken with the song selection by producers Brent Maher and Tony Brown) is so exceptional and exciting, it makes you wonder what the future holds for 6 young people from Russia that have musical skills beyond the average country band in the US.

It's one of those CD's that you'll love on first play, and then pick apart later. There's something to like about every song, but on multiple play, you start to realize that the puppeteers in Nashville tried to showcase the band's range, but , in doing so, homogenized their sound too much. The only mediocre song is "I Could Use A Hero" (Bonnie Tyler was much more imaginative in "Holding Out for a Hero"); and even there the harmonies between Natalia and Lydia are worth a listen, along with the mandolin chops.

Some of my favorites:

"Tell Me Tonight" - Natalia really channels Roseanne Cash here, her voice throbbing, husky, sexy. It's more uptempo than most similar songs because of the mix of background instrumentation. Producer Brent Maher had a hand in writing both of these first songs, but in this one Ilya got a writing credit as well.

"I'm Not Missing You" - is a bluegrass ballad with an amazing lead vocal by Natalia, who really shows her high register in the song...

"Got your sweater on
You know, the one that I gave you
That you never wore.
Guess I'm better off
That you didn't like the color
`Cause it keeps me warm".

Ilya makes lead guitar (electric here) stand out as a counterpoint to "the voice" and really plays the hell out of the blues as her voice soars in the ending.

"Only This Love" - Is a beautiful heartbreak of a ballad, with words simplified, that Mike Reid helped Maher and Ilya put together. Vince Gill was persuaded to chime in some background vocals, and the whole composition is just superb. It's this kind of song that makes you really appreciate the steel guitar.

"Like a Child" is the only song recorded live on the CD, and you can get the sense of excitement the band churns up in the audience....making their talent more real than in a studio setting. It's a mainstream tune that harks back to the Eagles' ballads.

"So, hold me like a lover, and love me like a child
And when I'm inconsolable, oh just let me run wild."

I was blown away by this CD, and I go back to it once or twice a week, and have, for the last 6 months or so. I think the group has the skills to find an audience, just as the Dixie Chicks did, finally. They need to stay true to their focus on instumentation and their willingness to incorporate more bluegrass sounds, while being pushed into a more traditional country or country rock mold.

You'll be pleasantly surprised if you give this CD a try.

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