Description:
Bitter Honey by Eef Barzelay is a solo acoustic record by the singer/song-writer of Clem Snide. Anyone familiar with Snide`s previous 5 records and live shows has come to expect Barzelay`s occasional invitation to cuddle in a cold unfurnished room. This two part LP is the first devoted entirely to those moments. Part One opens with "The Ballad of Bitter Honey", a song that initially sounds like an ironic take on the life of a hip-hop video vixen. But the only irony is that it`s bespectacled Barzelay singing it. As in many of Barzelay`s songs the sniggers are quickly undercut with tenderness and self examination. The next four songs lead us from cruelty to empathy and all the crippled places in-between. Part Two, called "Let Us Be Naked", begins with "Little Red Dot", a one minute eight second valentine. It later abandons itself to a rousing not-drunken sing-along, and closes with possibly the most heartbreaking version of "Joy to the World" ever done. With just his voice, his words, and an acoustic guitar Barzelay further confirms the rumor that he is one of the most uniquely talented songwriters around. (spinArt)
