The Burnt Pines
The Burnt Pines. Adraela Records.
This self-titled debut album from a folksy-rock group known as The Burnt Pines is a real charmer, not just for the musicianship and compositions but also for the earthy vocals of Danish-born lead singer and lyricist Kris Skovmand.
Scheduled for release on Jan. 22, the disc has 12 songs of life, love, and adventure, many with passion and heartfelt lyrics that are searing and not syrupy. The opener, “Diamonds,” takes a unique view of romantic devotion, including a lyric, “I don’t mind gettin’ old for you, babe.”
But I found myself especially drawn to the album’s fourth song, “On the Burning Bridge,” and how it examined the fragility of relationships.
The Burnt Pines includes Boston-based songwriter, instrumentalist, and arranger Aaron Flanders on guitar, and Portuguese-born Miguel Sa Pessoa on keyboards. Other musicians include Fernando Huergo on five-string bass, Luis Barros on drums and percussion, and Dan Fox on upright bass.
The vibe is wayward and introspective. There’s not necessarily anything bold or outlandish. But there’s a down-to-earth, wholesome, well-rounded, and soothing sound. Tracks were assembled between Boston and Lisbon, Portugal, where Skovmand and Sa Pessoa live - some 3,187 miles apart - without missing a beat.
First Published January 12, 2021, 2:40 p.m.
