'Til Spring

Clarence Bucaro's "'Til Spring" combines traditional elements with a modern sound to deliver the total package.

"When Man Plays God" paints a disturbing picture of humanity and comes across as a little preachy. "Renew My Faith In You" and "Standing on Old Grounds" are each a bit pitchy at times, but the sentiment contained in each song carries real emotional weight.

Songs like "Back in the World" have a hopeful, optimistic tone to its message, conversely to "On The Map" or even "Tirelessly Blue," which sounds like an anthem for the downhearted a la REM's "Everybody Hurts" or other songs in a similar vein. My favorite was "Take My Love," a hauntingly beautiful ballad that stayed in my mind long after the notes faded.

There are also some truly admirable solos included on many of the cuts on the album. For example, the keyboard and guitar solos on "Tirelessly Blue," were reminiscent of the talents of many blues masters. I still wish the vocals had been delivered with a little more self-assurance, but it manages to detract very minimally from the overall recording. A good effort.