Universe Narrows

What Makes a Weed?

The fact that this is a father-son duo is irrelevant, aside from the fact that it explains why these two work so well together. I expected a novelty act, and I got one of the best discs of the year. Okay, it starts off as a poppy-happy kind of thing, and that isn’t my bag, but then you get “Hole in the Fence,” which features some truly tasteful lead guitar work, and which is followed up by “Lost and Found,” which shows that Universe Narrows is just as comfortable exploring the (slightly) darker side. “Looking Through a Pane” is a Grant Lee Buffalo kinda thing, and that is far more than I could have asked for from this slab. This takes the “singer/songwriter” thing far beyond its expected constrictions, shows that pa and son have mastered more than one stylistic niche, and makes me listen a second time, and a third time, and ends up with me wishing I could hang with these two while they hit “record” and prove that simple, heartfelt songs are still at the core of this whole music-y kinda thing.    (Tim Emswiler)