/Passenger
Wicked Man's Rest
Chalkmark Records
By George W. Harris

You probably haven't heard of UK group /Passenger, which is currently
on a US tour. They are a folksy/indie band that has thoughtful and
inquisitive lyrics set to eclectic and restrained rhythms and melodies.
The two leaders in the band, Mike Rosenberg and Andrew Philipps imbibe
from the well of Morrison, Dylana and Young, so you know the themes are
going to be poignant with a dash of quixotic introspection. Themes like
rejection ("Girl I Once Knew") or imagined relationships ("Do What You
Like") are framed alternations between subdued acoustic guitar and
synthesized rhythms, and peppy and charged rhythms. The calliope and
synthesized backgrounds of "For You" and "Table For One" create nuanced
moods for Rosenberg's reflective ruminations, while the frentice pulse
of "Night Vision Binoculars" adds a dash of urgency. Comparable to Nick
Drake and David Gray, /Passenger has debuted with a respectable and
strong disc.