Eddie Berman - Signal Fire (2024) [Hi-Res]

After an introspective period of remote recording sessions that birthed ‘Broken English’ in 2020, Eddie Berman, the beloved Portland-based folk-rock craftsman, has emerged with a fresh and invigorating album, Signal Fire, slated for release on January 19th via Nettwerk. Berman’s journey, from the comfort of home recording to a poignant reunion with his band, with whom he hadn’t collaborated in person for over two years, underscores the album’s narrative of rebirth, connection, and the deep roots of family.

The immediate magic of playing live with his bandmates once more became an epiphany for Berman. “Right away it was just a feeling of, ‘What the hell was I thinking?’, he reminisces. With Signal Fire, Berman captures the vitality, the “aliveness,” that can only be sparked in real-time collaboration, a sentiment that seems to be the heart and soul of the album.

Journeying through Signal Fire, listeners will find themselves enveloped in a musical landscape that intertwines the gentle grace of Nick Drake’s “Pink Moon” with the poignant intensity of Bob Dylan’s “Blood on the Tracks.” The album showcases Eddie’s growth and artistic maturity. Recorded at the 64 Sound Recording Studio in Los Angeles amidst a rare rainstorm, ‘Signal Fire’ was forged in a brief, intense three-day window, a choice that allowed Berman and his band—Gabe Feenberg, Gabe Davis, and Chris Wabich—to dive into the raw immediacy of their art without overthinking. This decision paid off, as each track glistens with authenticity and emotional depth.

‘Signal Fire’ is not just an album; it’s a journey through Berman’s soul. Through tracks dedicated to his daughters, such as “First of Spring (Keira’s Song),” listeners are given a window into Berman’s profound love and the complex emotions of parenthood. The album’s title itself, appearing in the acoustic-led romantic ballad “Mare Imbrium,” named after one of the moon’s largest craters, conveys dual messages: the welcoming warmth of a beacon and the cautionary flames of a warning.

With ‘Signal Fire,” Eddie Berman once again solidifies his place in the pantheon of modern folk-rock luminaries. Stay tuned for continued updates.