San Francisco area trio The Bittersweets worked their way up through the Bay area music scene, and the title suggests this album is a valedictory message to the region as the band makes the move to Nashville.
Led by Hannah Prater’s expressive vocals and guitar, Chris Meyers multi-instrumental talents and Steve Bowman’s percussion, the trio are joined by a number of stellar Nashville players including Doug Lanico, David Henry and Dave Jacques, and the whole album is produced by Lex Price (Mindy Smith’s producer and side-man).
Given the talent on hand it’s no surprise that ‘Goodbye San Francisco’ is full of quality from start to finish, the 11 songs (plus one hidden track) range from eloquent guitar driven songs through to the beautiful piano led title track.
Prater’s vocals are versatile and distinctive, and while it’s easy to pick out some influences in her voice (Gretchen Peters and Patty Griffin spring to mind) she has a individual sound that gives The Bittersweets their own style.
The songs are full of strong lyrics and fit nicely into the band setting, they’re not the folk narratives of solo singer/songwriters, but neither is it the up-beat sound of The Waifs; it falls somewhere in-between and while there’s plenty of grit and character about the songs it’s all wrapped up in great melodies and playing.
Highlights include the slow-burning title track, the upbeat country(ish) rock of ‘Birmingham’, and the fantastic vocals of ‘Is Anyone Safe’.
‘The Bittersweets’ are a top quality American trio, their music is generally upbeat but with thoughtful lyrics, and they sit very comfortably between folk singer/songwriter and country rock – it’s an excellent album with real appeal. Very highly recommended.
Track listing
1 Wreck
2 Blue
3 Is Anyone Safe
4 Birmingham
5 45
6 My Sweet Love
7 Bordertown
8 Tidal Waves
9 Lies
10 Goodnight San Francisco
11 When The War Is Over
12 Fortunate Wind (hidden track)
