Christian Kjellvander – The Pitcher (2013)

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In the beginning, Christian Kjellvander obtained success with the Loosegoats, a band whose righteous roots rock offerings still make many a fan and critics top ten list more than a decade after calling it quits. Following the dismantling of the Loosegoats, Christian elected to go the solo route, which has also garnered nothing but positive responses.

Here on Christian’s fifth solo outing, The Pitcher (Tapete Records), the acclaimed singer, songwriter and guitarist proceeds to flex his musical muscles to mettlesome effects. Conceived in an old church located in Sweden, the album emits a beautifully moody tenor that transcends time and space.

Friends, family and folks from the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra were recruited to donate their handiwork to The Pitcher, directing the disc to resemble nothing less than a cinematic presentation. Combine Christian’s well worn country-salted vocals with such smart and classy instrumentation, and you’re serenaded by a showcase of hymn-heavy shapes and designs that seize the heart and soul.

A deeply personal statement, The Pitcher swells and booms with emotionally-invested poetry and performances. Songs like “The Zenith Sunset,” “The Woods,” “The Mariner,” “The Bloodline” and “The Trip” require special attention, but the entire production moves to a gripping gait. Blending rural rock sounds with choral arrangements is hardly a conventional practice, yet The Pitcher is so natural and free-flowing that the tunes ring a familiar and comfortable bell.

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Beverly Paterson