Chris Cohen, “Chris Cohen” (Captured Tracks)Like a vaccine on a sugar cube, Chris Cohen’s third album disguises consequential content with sweet sounds and agreeable melodies. Considering events framing its creation — like his parents’ divorce after 53 years of marriage and his dad’s coming out — one might expect sadness, brooding and confusion. Cohen, on the other hand, talks about “being relieved of a great burden,” like decades of lies, suspicions and perplexity melting away. While here and there it’s possible to find family references, the lyrics to half the album were written by others. “House Carpenter” is one of several names for a traditional Scottish ballad of the kind that never ends well.

Source: National Post March 29, 2019 15:11 UTC