By Joe Johnson (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: March 4, 2015
Cary Brothers is in fact not a band composed of brothers, but it is the name of a fascinating singer-songwriter who recently toured with Joshua Radin. And perhaps that’s indicative of the kind of music he performs. However, Brothers’ recent EP, Lovin’ On You, is an interesting mix. Sitting at four songs, it’s very easy to consume but hints at the new directions Brothers is looking to take for his next full-length release.
Almost all of Brothers’ past work has been released under his own independent label, Procrastination Music. Having been active on the music scene for over a decade, he’s created a name for himself by releasing a considerable number of his songs through television and movies, the majority of these being romantic in nature.
But stepping back from this facet of his career, interpreting his music for what he’s actually saying is far more fascinating. And this is why I’ve particularly enjoyed this EP. It feels very much like various strings of his life are being pulled together for a short time. This short, eclectic group of songs leaves the listener wanting to understand more. When Brothers releases his next full-length, it’s going to provide that missing depth.
Lovin’ On You begins with the title track. It’s the story of loving a person and the internal growth that can provide: “Lovin’ on you’s the best thing that I ever did for me.” Yet it’s very basic lyrically and lighthearted, with a guitar-driven pop sound. Then there’s “Fallin’,” which is the story of him selling his soul to the devil, done with an entertaining, fast-paced, Southern country spin. “Words of Mine” and “Kick the Can” finish the EP off with deep expressions, enhanced through the piano on the former and through hauntingly elongated, driving vocals on the latter.
