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Tim Barry, the lead singer of Avail, takes a turn with his solo project, creating music that relates more to the folk, country and singer-songwriter genre.  It’s a good escape from punk music and it allows his fans to open up to other kinds of music.

He released his third full-length solo album, 28^th & Stonewall, on Suburban Home Records.  Throughout the whole album, the simplicity of his music makes the listener listen closer to the lyrics than they would with something more complex.  Tim Barry sings about live, occasional loneliness and stories that take place in Virginia, where he is from.

Tim Barry brings somewhat of a Southern twang to his music, especially in the song “Will Travel.”  It reminds me of what I could be listening to while hanging out in New Orleans.  It gives the music personality and a fun feeling.

Loneliness is a common theme throughout this album and the way he displays it is frighteningly beautiful.  The music along with the lyrics allow loneliness to be a thing to be tolerated, but with a touch of pain.

The song “Short G’Bye” reminds me a lot of Chuck Ragan, who he often tours with.  The vocals are very reminiscent, but he makes it his own, so we can’t exactly call it a replica.

The album closes with the song “Bus Driver.”  It’s a good send-off to the album because the phrase “Tell ‘em that I’m long gone” is repeated with his own version of call and response.  He’s telling the bus driver that he can go on without him, which again shows the common theme of loneliness.

Overall, I’m a fan of this album.  I can really appreciate a musician that has the power to open up a listener’s ears to the music that is out in the world.  True, I’m usually not a fan of folk or country, but there’s something that Tim Barry does that makes me like it.  He adds truth and honesty to his lyrics that can even make you realize certain things about your life.  Music is powerful and he definitely takes advantage of its perks.

For Fans Of: Chuck Ragan, The Loved Ones, Dr. Dog

Overall Rating: 8/10

Favorite Tracks: “Thing of the Past,” “Downtown VCU”

1. Thing of the Past

2. Bozeman

3. Gabriel Intro

4. Prosser’s Gabriel

5. Walk 500 Mules

6. No BS Warm Up

7. Will Travel

8. Moving On Blue

9. Downtown VCU

10. Short G’Bye

11. 11/7

12. With Ease I Leave

13. (Memento Mori)

14. Bus Driver

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