SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SOFIA TALVIK – CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE

SOFIA TALVIK
CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE
MAKAKI RECORDS

Sofia Talvik hails from Sweden and released her first album in 2005, carving out her own distinct style of Americana/folk with a Nordic twist. Center Of The Universe is her eighth album and she has written all the songs and produced it herself. At times the music seems to be verging on Celtic music as well. It is her ability to put all the ingredients into a pot and create her own music.

Center Of The Universe opens with the beautiful acoustic “Circle Of Destruction”. It is an exquisite song, with powerful lyrics such as “What they can’t build up, they tear down…” It is a very emotional song, and one cannot help but think it would be a perfect duet for her and Mark Knopfler. The song sets the tone for the entire album. Lyrically, this is not a lightweight album at all. Incorporated into the lovely melodies, Talvik has something to say.  She has a beautiful style of writing lyrics and the songs could be read as poetry.

Musically, this is a strong album. Talvik’s guitar and her band are tight, restrained. The arrangements leave her a great deal of space for her stunning voice to come through. Songs like “Boy Soldier” and “Broken” her voice breaks your heart. The music, lyrics and voice all come together and form that perfect sound.

The one downside is that it could use a little more variety. The songs don’t all sound the same, but there is a tone on the album where at times the listener wishes she could break out and do a bluegrass hoedown. A little variety goes a long way.

Having said that, Center Of The Universe is a great album. Talvik has come up with one that is full of stories and in many regards characters. Listen to “Oh California”, the closing track. It is a tale of star-crossed lovers. The loss of someone to another state is sad enough, but in Talvik’s hands the song becomes a tragedy. You can feel the ache as one listens to her reminiscing about the last time she saw the person. Heartbreaking does not come close to the emotion felt in that song.

And therein lies one of Talvik’s strengths. Her writing can burrow into the listener’s mind and emotions and stay there. That is one of the many wonderful things about Center Of The Universe. It is a beautiful collection of emotions told through song.

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