Adam Torres

Add Date: September 13

Artist: Adam Torres

Album: Pearls To Swine

Label: Fat Possum

Genre: Indie folk

Comments: It's been a decade since Adam Torres, then twenty years of age, released his debut solo album Nostra Nova, which has since been deemed a "cult classic." Following a reissue last year, Torres returns with his followup solo effort, Pearls To Swine. Anchored by Torres's soothing vocals, the album displays the singer-songwriter's "uniquely cinematic soundscapes," ranging from the peaceful "Juniper Arms" -- which was inspired by Edward Abbey's Desert Solitaire -- to the southwestern influenced, Gothic-tinged "Some Beast Will Find You By Name." Acoustic instrumentation abounds with Torres being joined by Thos Harris of Swans (conga drums/vibraphone), Aisha Burns (violin), and Dailey Tolliver (bass/piano) to craft a comforting sound that, quite simply, teems with good vibes and serenity. Outside of the slightly darker (though not  necessarily melancholy) tones of "Daydream" and "Outlands," the album eases listeners with its slow-to-mid-tempo rhythms and precise arrangements; on "Where I'm Calling From," Torres even blends these divergent moods in what could only be described as a lullaby for adults with its "ooh ooh" chorus. Overall, Adam Torres has returned in a form that few artists in his position could hope to achieve. While it won't make many Top 10 lists, this is a solid album that deserves plenty of attention. Enjoy.

Recommended Tracks: 3, 6, 1, 4

DNP: none