Deeper
Bùrach
Greentrax Recordings
2000
12 tracks
I really want to like this group. Bùrach vocalist Ali Cherry sounds like she has what it takes. At various points on Deeper, I am reminded of three quite different singers: Susan Jacks, Sarah McLaughlin, and Pat Benatar. I must admit that I am a huge fan of both Jacks and Benatar and, while I am not necessarily a fan of hers, the very talented McLaughlin has attained star status in her native Canada and around the world. It's good company to be in.
Cherry's predominant sound, however, is of a very watered down Benatar. The effect is like Benatar backed by an ABBA cover band. It would be interesting to hear Ali Cherry singing with a stronger band.
The members of Bùrach are very good musically in the sense that their playing is more than competent and their overall sound is tight. In theory, that should make them the ideal foil for Cherry's vocals. Instead, most of the time, Bùrach is just plain boring.
Played at tempos that should work, Bùrach's rhythm is repetitious and is often tedious. While it is clear that the music was played on actual instruments, it sounds programmed and might just as well have been created by a midi whiz. These musicians could with no problem turning their collective hand to so-called dance music.
Worse, the obviously talented Cherry is also betrayed by the lyrics, which are for the most part commonplace and often become very simply cliche. Even though Cherry does her best to bring some expression to the lyrics, they are not strong enough to grab and hold the listener.
Given the clear technical talent of the musicians and the tightness of their sound, I suspect the answer is not a wholesale replacement of band members but a more creative approach to their sound. Right now, Bùrach sounds like a cover band for any number of mediocre pop groups. This may be alright for stars of the local bar circuit, but I suspect the members of Bùrach have higher aspirations. To achieve those aspirations, they will have to break the mold. And they will have to give their vocalist more room to shine.
Bùrach is a band at that point where either they will become something wonderful and lasting or they will sink back into the regional obscurity from which they rose. It's a time for reflection and for focussing anew. Will they make the right decisions? Only time will tell. What is certain is that they have the talent to make it if they really want to.
Anyone wishing to learn more about Bùrach and their music will find them at Stoneyport.
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