Dave Vargo - Burning Through
Dave Vargo has stepped out of the
studio and sideman shadows to compile his first album of all original
songwriting named Burning Through. This collection has some rock fire, but it’s
largely a singer/songwriter’s work with a lot of seemingly personal material
and some of Vargo’s storytelling talents on display. Rather than following an
expected A-B-C level of directness, Vargo often spins some of the songs in
unpredictable directions with imaginative arrangements and tempos that are
enough outside the box to strike an individual note. He works with the same
small group of musicians on each of the songs and this decision gives the
tracks a coherency of sound and approach that brings the album together in an
equally unique way. More often than not, collections of this ilk are laden with
a variety of guest stars, but Vargo is clearly aiming for a band experience and
achieves it in a memorable way.
“Come Take Me Home” introduces us to
his memorably personal style as a lyricist. The songs on Burning Through sound
like they are taken from his everyday life, but the real art in Vargo’s writing
comes from his ability to take those personal details and recast them in an
universal light. There isn’t a single song on Burning Through that isn’t
completely relatable. “Good Enough” is equally personal, albeit with a slightly
different tone, and the musical arrangement foregoes the rock theatrics of the
opener in favor of a much more balanced approach. “Choose” continues the
serious themes of the first two songs with a track about someone reaching a
turning point in their lives, but he doesn’t pose this scenario with an overly
melodramatic musical arrangement. Instead, everything is handled subtly,
tastefully, and it’s apparent the notes that Vargo and his cohorts don’t play
are just as important as what they do play. It hits on a strong Midwestern rock
vibe without ever sounding hokey.
“Wishing on a Star” could be said to be
one of Burning Through’s most personal songs. It’s hard to distinguish, with
the best writers, the difference between a purely imaginative act and something
that has a flesh and blood connection, but this song is certainly suggestive of
the young Vargo and his dreams of future music stardom. “Finding My Way to You”
has Vargo joined by backing singer Kim Boyko and their voices blend
satisfyingly on one of the album’s most emotive tracks. “Waiting” has a largely
acoustic slant but the vehemence of Vargo’s vocal and the hints of chaotic
electric guitar buried in the mix give this a little bit of a darker hue than
many of the album’s lo-fi efforts. “Don’t Think Twice” has a melody and tempo
that’s hard to forget and ranks among the album’s best moments. Vargo and the
band alike shine here thanks to the effortless way they make this work. “Pieces
of my Heart” is a little bit more in line with the earlier tracks in terms of
style, but it has some interesting percussion and finishes the album on an
appropriately thematic note. Burning Through is an impressive and indelible
release that should establish Dave Vargo as a formidable songwriting talent.
9 out of 10 stars
Bradley Johnson
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