Music Review: Peter Bradley Adams - Gather Up

Peter Bradley Adams is probably best known as a member of the duo eastmoutainsouth. The duo sold approximately 600,000 copies of their debut album and their single, “You Dance” was a #1 AAA radio hit and in the top 5 for two months in 2003.  The duo toured as the opening act for such musical heavyweights as Nelly Furtado, Tracy Chapman, and Joan Baez.

The song “Hard Times,” from eastmountainsouth’s first record, was recently featured in the Cameron Crowe film Elizabethtown and was included on the soundtrack. Peter’s music from eastmountainsouth has appeared in over twenty-eight films and television shows in the United States. Eastmountainsouth performed their last show in September 2004 at the Hollywood Bowl with Lyle Lovett and Shelby Lynne.

After releasing a solo EP in 2005, Adams has delivered his first full-length album, Gather Up. After listening to it, one thing was abundantly clear: Peter Bradley Adams solo is eastmountainsouth, except he doesn’t limit himself to just one female co-singer. There are several different women that fill in for Peter’s former partner, Kat Maslich.

Gather Up consists of heavily orchestrated and beautifully executed songs about everyday issues. Heartbreak and happiness, triumph and failure are all touched upon in the course of Adams’ eleven-track offering. Peter uses his exemplary piano and composing skills to create a quiet, melancholy atmosphere in his music that could calm the most stressed out listener. "Unreconciled" is a wonderful song with a pulsating bass line, pace-setting guitars and crystal clear vocals, heavy with emotion. “Lay Your Head Down,” shows an accomplished pianist at work. The song is a beautifully dark lullaby.

“One Foot Down,” a song about loss and change in life, features a catchy drumbeat and a cool electric piano. Adams says of “One Foot Down,” "Yes, the chorus lyrics are a definite and unapologetic nod to John Lennon, and his vocal part on “I Got A Feeling,” from the Beatles Let It Be album. When I was four, I would crank the song on my ‘Playschool’ record player, and play drums on all the trash cans I could find in the house.” Adams skillfully combines his ideas with those of his musical influences to create a kind of folk infused rock music.

Peter Bradley Adams’ wonderful piano stylings and ability to touch the soul with his music combine to make Gather Up a very impressive album. Fans of eastmountainsouth and alternative folk music will want to give Gather Up a permanent place in their music collections.