Kip Boardman : The Long Weight

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Singer-songwriter Kip Boardman is the type of singer-songwriter which sticks to the idea that less is much more, especially regarding bombastic flourishes compensating for any quality shortcomings. Here Boardman adheres to a bare-bones approach in the vein of Ray LaMontagne, Ryan Adams and a roots-y Jason Mraz on the sincere opener “All Fall Down,” the groovy “All That Bad” and the laidback toe-tapper “Mysterious Stranger.”

Throughout it all, Boardman has a ‘70s vibe or thread running through this 10-song, 40-minute effort as “Runnin’ Right” could have come from a Christopher Cross songbook. And the fact that Eric Heywood – who produced The Pretenders, Son Volt and also LaMontagne – lends his talent only reinforces the idea that it’s the song which is front and centre. A sweet alt.country sleeper like “Wonderin’” and one gets the impression Boardman shouldn’t be as under-the-radar as he is.

The singer continues that soft, soothing mode on “Wind Is Restless” but thankfully gets his mojo working on the soulful, funk-lite “How Could We Guess.” The highlight might be “This Too Shall Pass” as Boardman brings his inner Ron Sexsmith to the fore with a mournful, sad, piano-fuelled nugget.

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