SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BEN PIRANI - HOW DO I TALK TO MY BROTHER?

Ben Pirani
How Do I Talk To My Brother
Colemine Records

Ben Pirani has been making music for a while, and comes from a musical family. His father, Leonard was a professional musician, his parents were also the music directors at a Pentecostal church, and that touch of spiritualism has its place in traditional soul music. That is what Pirani brings, traditional soul music for a 2018 world.

How Do I Talk To My Brother? is his debut album. He has released a few singles, both as a solo artist and a member of a band. This album may have been a long time coming, but it is well worth the wait. Pirani has taken time to perfect his craft and his style, and his style is pure soul.

Piani demonstrates his knowledge and understanding of a style of music that, in some ways, has disappeared over time. How Do I Talk To My Brother? takes the listener back in time without being a retro record. Pirani is recording soul music in 2018 but he records his music as if he has been making it for a decade. There is a maturity to his voice and his music and it comes through as one listens to the album.

The other thing that one must admire about How Do I Talk To My Brother is that it is an album. This seems to be a very positive trend of late — artists who approach an album as a whole and not just as a collection of songs. It is a personal, almost confessional concept album. The best soul music is confessional and here Pirani taps into that style and feeling.

The album opens and closes with “Try Love”. Exploding with a solid drum beat, and a great horn arrangement, Pirani bursts forth with his great vocals “Try love”, he says, “it’s wonderful”. Here sets the scene, love is going to be the salvation for the problems that will follow, and problems do follow.

Listen to the second song “Not One More Tear”, an energetic song acknowledging the hard times, but “not one more tear will I cry” sings Pirani defiantly. And as one listens, one feels his resolve through this strong song. The album moves on to other sounds and wonderful lyrics. There are ballads, and the title track features some of the best vocals I have heard this year. The almost acapella song features tight harmonies and wonderful soulful lead vocals. The effect is quite chilling.

This is an excellent album, and a very impressive debut. The album is consistent throughout and is an excellent listening experience. Some of the songs would benefit from different arrangements, as although there is some variety throughout, there is a sameness to some of the arrangements. A small criticism, as Pirani has created an excellent album.

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