Kevin Devine
“Between the Concrete & Clouds”
(Razor & Tie)

Kevin Devine is a social media maven. If you’ve been his Facebook friend for the last year or so, then you know that he’s been slowly leaking bits and pieces of his latest record, “Between the Concrete and Clouds,” through the site. Because of this, I’ve been trying my damndest to not click on the links and, for the most part, it’s worked pretty well. So unlike some of you who’ve already spoiled yourselves, this is my first time listening to this album.

Devine’s last record, “Brother’s Blood,” was certainly one of the more ambitious records of his career and stands to be the best, if only for how complicated it was. “Between the Concrete & Clouds” harkens back to the Kevin Devine that most people are familiar with. On songs like “Sleepwalking Through my Life” and “Wait Out the Wreck” Devine goes back to simple arrangements, though the record’s bookend “I Used to Be Someone” touches on the layered arrangement of “Brother’s Blood,” versus how the previous ended with a simple acoustic track.

It would be unfair to call this a step backward, despite the fact that it’s more of a traditional pop-rock record. Devine’s strength as a lyricist is just as sharp as ever and his ability to write great songs hasn’t lost its edge at all. If anything, it’s a good reminder that whether he’s touring with nine backing members or just himself, he certainly has a style that’s difficult to duplicate.

— Ryan Pangilinan