Zervas and Pepper - Abstract Heart

by Carl Bookstein

published: 4 / 5 / 2015

Label: Zeroded Records
Format: CD

Impressive 70’s West Coast-influenced folk pop on third album from Welsh duo, Zervas and Pepper

Review

The Welsh duo Zervas & Pepper release their third album ‘Abstract Heart’- emanating with easy folk rock vibrations. The opening track ‘Miller’ starts with a smooth acoustic guitar strum- bringing to mind the L .A. folk rock born of the Laurel Canyon in the 1960s and 1970s. “I’m glad I got to know you.” the vocal begins- warm and welcoming. With an astral, magical vibe, Kathryn Pepper takes the lead vocal on “Terraform” conjuring the vocal styling of Fleetwood Mac- the sound both comforting and easy: “Only ever wanted to get back what we lost.” Zervas & Pepper create a musical safe place- a soothing oasis in a challenging war torn world. The lyric on ‘Reach Out’ is a healer: “You won’t be sorry/Just let go of worry/Everybody needs the help of somebody sometimes.” On the compelling folk rock tinged title track ‘Abstract Heart’, Paul Zervas takes the lead vocal, with flowing instrumental accompaniment. Zervas & Pepper create a positively lovely West Coast California vibe. Much of the album was in fact written in L.A. Zervas & Pepper also bring to mind such prominent American 1970’s folk rock acts and FM radio staples as Seals and Crofts as well as the band America, but with a low key sound very much their own. ‘Silver to Chrome’ declares “Living for the moment is all that matters.” ‘We Are One’ is spiritually evocative with a vibe of renewal: “In the eye of the storm, we are rising up from the dust./We are here/We are reall/Come with us.” A comforting, blissful closer, ‘Celestial Friend’ declares “Dive into a sea of blue” with rich imagery of heaven and earth: “Tell me what did you find in your search out there.” On ‘Abstract Heart’, Zervas & Pepper capture both pretty and soothing folk rock sounds, and do so from start to finish.

Track Listing:-

1 Miller
2 Terraform
3 Foolish Dreamer
4 Reach Out
5 Here and Now
6 Abstract Heart
7 These Blurred Lines
8 Laika
9 Silver To Chrome
10 We Are One
11 Celestial Friend