Singer David - Civil Wars

  by Geraint Jones

published: 14 / 11 / 2002

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Sometimes it’s the albums about which you know absolutely nothing about and therefore have no preconceptions about either, that can end up providing the most pleasure. ‘Civil Wars’ by David Singer & The Sweet Science undoubtedly falls into that category. Hailing from Chicago, ‘Civil Wars’ is actually the band’s second album, or more precisely David Singer’s following his debut, ‘The Cost Of Living, which was written, arranged and played almost entirely by him and credited to him alone. ‘Civil Wars’ could in deference to his debut, just as easily have been called ‘The Cost Of Loving’ such are it’s lyrical preoccupations with relationships and the resulting fallout when they break down. ‘Civil Wars’ though is equally appropriate; as Singer admits one of the album’s primary themes is his obsession with the sad irony in life of how we are often most vicious to those closest to us. This is an album that can be appreciated on a number of levels. At face value, ‘Civil Wars’ is a richly detailed, lush album of sublime pop. David Singer’s voice, though occasionally reminiscent of Elliott Smith’s is more expressive and dimensional, his arrangements clever, intricate and detailed, yet subtly so, and the shared production with bass player Marc Schwarz warm and intimate, never overblown or cluttered. Once you take the time to address the lyrics, the album takes on an entirely different hue. These often desperate tales are drenched in loneliness, bitterness, confusion and isolation. David Singer’s often piano-driven confessionals are haunting, mesmerising and unsettling in equal measure. Hopefully it’s not the case, but the emotional damage seems so prevalent and so convincingly conveyed that you can’t help but assume the collapse of a deep and meaningful relationship must have provided the inspiration. It’s not until the album’s closing song, ‘I’ll See You In The Moon’ that some kind of closure, catharsis even, seems to have been achieved, when there finally seems to be a glimmer of hope and love despite all the suffering, anger and disillusion that precedes it. The collection of songs on ‘Civil Wars’ though often sad and occasionally bitter tales exploring the fragility of human relationships, also make for a set of inspiring and clever pop music. For the sake of simplistic comparisons (in the unlikely event anyone needs one) think Randy Newman meets Brendan Benson. If I wasn’t lucky enough to have this album already, that would undoubtedly make me want to buy it.

Track Listing:-

1 Everything I Should Forget
2 I'm Not Leaving
3 I Will Come Back From The War
4 The Only One
5 It's A Miserable Life (For Everyone)
6 Concerto For Cello And Cuckold In A
7 Better Than Nothing
8 Slightly Damaged, Hardly Used
9 Right Of Way
10 I'll See You In The Moon

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