BLOGS

Since 2001, songwriter Carolyn Berk has made records under the Lovers moniker. With only a small amount of instrumental elements, Lovers has always made music that sounds full and pleasant, and Berk really has become somewhat of an indie superstar because of it. Her lyrics and delivery are easy to appreciate, creating songs that take hold of your brain and latch on.

Recording for the first time on the Badman label, Berk is joined by synth-wizard Kerby Ferris and percussionist Emily Kingan for Lovers' latest album, "Dark Light." There's a meta-moment as the album begins, where she sings "Every time the music starts/ I can feel my achin', shakin' heart," on "Barnacle." The music of Lovers is not the kind that will tear your face off by sheer force of awesome; it has a far more subtle effect, a gentle caress that takes some time to really feel.

"Shepherd of Stray Hearts" is an apt example, strolling along with soft vocals atop ever softer beats. The song earns your love after a few listens for elegantly parlaying desire and heartache with a chorus that simply repeats "I wanted you." On "No Regrets," the tempo picks up as Berk's lyrics become sillier with "No regrets, I told my friend Bridget/ and I made a little no regrets hand sign."

Ferris' synths spend a decent amount of time stealing the show, or at least sharing it equally with Berk's singing, while Kingan's percussion dominates on "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." Closing track "Cedar Falls" is marvelously poignant, hyphothesizing that "if you asked a dead man what he's learned from dying/ he'd say give and give and give/ That's how to live."

The first half of the album is the more catchy portion, with beats and choruses you can only hear so much before you'll be unintentionally humming along. "Don't You Want It?" doesn't have to do much ... the pleading imploration, "Don't you want me?/ Don't you want me?," is enough to make me want it. The album's first single, "Figure 8," tries a little bit harder, resting heavy on the synths and some infectious "Na na na na na na na na's" to make its case.

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