There is really not much more I can say about Tim Barry these days except that the man is exceptional.
The former Avail frontman has made aging as a punk rocker just so appealing. Taking each day in stride and being the best father he can be, you might just find inspiration in him just as I have.
His solo material is more of a storytelling process with the soul purpose of letting people hear him out. Still containing his punk rock roots as well as life-long experiences, Barry just dropped an all new release on Chunksaah Records titled High On 95.
High On 95 is a mixture of acoustic tracks and collective jams with Barry’s family and friends. Just as he has always done in the past, Barry has no problem combining folk, rock, and punk and with his own personal touch making for an incredible listen.
The album was recorded once again by Lance Koehler at Minimum Wage Studios in Richmond Virginia. According to Barry, “it’s just one take” and continued with, “Lance knows the more I do it, the worse it’s gonna get. You lose something when you play it more and more. So get it right.”
One take is all it took to make one hell of an album.
The personal “Slow Down” had Barry and his guitar recollecting life in a busy city and his transition to a small town. The backing violin playing was so fitting on this track that seemingly aged from the beginning to the end.
The detail in the lyrics on “High On 95” almost seemed like personal memories of my own. This track was built up with some guitar playing and simple piano playing. What made this track even better for me was the video that his 4-1/2 year old daughter filmed all on a VHS camcorder. Life goal right there folks, especially since I have my own little versions of me these days. Check out the video below.
“O & Dp” was more of a song a close knit of friends would sign around a campfire. I especially related to this track with lyrics that were personable with life events and self-expectation.
“Riverbank” was a memorable jam that might be one of the more produced songs I have heard by Barry in a while and I loved every second of it. Friendly and real thoughts put into song while letting dogs run around the river just doesn’t get much more sincere.
The toe-tapping “Gumshoe Andy” brought back train-hopping memories of Barry. You almost wonder who this gumshoe was and what his intentions were or if it was just an inner-conscious voice taming someone’s wild tendencies.
The observations in “Porter St.” are all to familiar. This industrialization realization of a small town track has immediately become one of my favorite Barry tracks. Just listening to it had me thinking and agreeing with what day to day life has turned into.
“Chelsea” was almost a Dear John letter of a track with Barry showing pleasantries followed by dismissal for being deceitful. Friendly-sounding but stern, this tune was quick to take out the trash.
It was great to hear Barry’s sister Caitlin play violin on “Running Never Tamed Me” along with Barry. Christina Marie Gleixner provided haunting backing vocals on this track about the highs and lows of life and love as told to what I would only assume was Barry’s daughters. This was one bummer of a track, but beautiful.
At 30 minutes total, High On 95 was an amazing listen that seemed to just fly by. I have actually listened to it a few times now and some of the tracks became even more poignant once the lyrics were absorbed in my mind. It’s the kind of album you think with, relate to, and just absorb.
People, including myself, have asked Barry for years if he would ever reunite Avail. He always responds that he is not interested in doing that. For a while there, I could not understand, but as the years have progressed with the releases by Barry, I am glad he didn’t. This man has his priorities set to align with his future on his own accord. Godspeed sir.
Tour Dates:
9/23 Richmond, Virginia @ Carpenter Theatre
10/05 Washington, DC @ DC9 Nightclub
10/06 Pittsburgh, PA @ Cattivo
10/07 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
10/8 Detroit, MI @ Smalls
10/10 Columbus, OH @ Rumba Cafe
10/11 St Louis, Mo @ Blueberry Hill
10/12 Chicago, Il @ Cobra Lounge
10/13 Indianapolis @ White Rabbit
10/14 Louisville, KY @ Haymarket
10/26 Ybor City, FL @ Pre-FEST
10/27 Gainesville, FL @ FEST
11/09 Garwood, NJ @ Crossroads
11/10 Philadelphia @ Underground Arts
11/11 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Upstairs.
11/12 Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade
12/07 San Diego, CA @ Casbah
12/08 Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory
12/09 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
12/10 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill.