One argument that can get lobbed (baselessly) at folk and country is that the sounds that come out of these genres are homogenous; they all sound the same. But if there were ever a rebuttal to present to those naysayers, it would be David Picco’s Live It Down. A departure from the alt-country and roots rock that has made up most of Picco’s career, the St. John’s artist finds himself perfectly at home on this variety-filled, mellow collection.
The variation from track to track is truly the first standout characteristic on Live It Down. Every song feels like a presentational pivot while still keeping in the confines of the genre at large. From the slow ridealong of “Waitin’ For The Summertime” to the twist-worthy and timeless “Still Love Ya” to the saucy novelty of “Some People,” the album never stagnates.
While the tone, tempo, and tenor all shift from track to track, Picco’s choices all feel unified under a common concept. It’s a beautiful mix of the foundation of roots with a succinct, modern delivery. Picco is a sweet-voiced bard of a cowboy for these people-centric tales, and it makes for a strikingly melancholic and understated album worth of any western. With big cues from Kurt Vile, the folksier side of Velvet Underground, and resembling a more subdued Townes Van Zandt, the quality of the craft here is undeniable.
Picco’s voice and the acoustics are the front-facing stars of the mix, but the simple arrangements that surround are absolutely noteworthy as well. The strength of these accents is most notable on ‘If You Wanna Change My Mind’, by and large, the most Vile-like, with beautifully airy harmonies, dreamy electric work, and a swaying rhythm.
In his own words, Picco describes Live It Down as “contemplative, but musically I was going after something more dream-like and ethereal.” Both feelings absolutely shine through and feed off each other, never sunken too deep and never floating too lofty. A fitting feeling for what the musician describes as an album “about coming to terms with the fact that life never turns out as planned.”
David Picco pulls off a skilled exhibition of his talents on Live It Out. Not only is it a fully successful endeavour away from his most recent sounds, but there is a completely timeless feel to the album. These songs and their enchanting, calming, meditative simplicity can effortlessly carry you away. Whether you want to be lost in the summer to come or simply dreaming the world away, this slice of Canadiana can take you there.