Passenger - Flight of the Crow

30 August 2010 by Richard Wilson

Passenger is the brain child of Mike Rosenberg. A UK native, the 26-year-old showcases a heartfelt acoustic album that sees him collaborate with some of Australia's most popular musicians. Flight of the Crow seems to brilliantly capture the busking journey that saw Rosenberg cross paths with all these collaborators.

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When you see an album featuring Lior, Josh Pyke, Boy & Bear, Katie Noonan, Matt Corby and Katie Noonan among others, there's two possible thoughts: that this'll be a great celebration of Australian music and musicians, or on the cynical side of the spectrum it's a guy with some hefty connections trying to make a name for himself in Australia. Thankfully in Flight of the Crow, Passenger sticks firmly to the former, utilising these friends in a variety of ways, from unobtrusive backing vocals in places, to full-fledged duets, and always organic.

There's no subterfuge to the music on Flight of the Crow; the guitar work is simple and the arrangements appropriately sparse, from the Shins-esque Shape of Love to the bluegrass shuffle Travelling Song. One thing that does become apparent is Rosenberg's unique vocals. It might be a cop out to liken a UK folk musician to Mumford & Sons, but Rosenberg's voice might be best described as a childlike incarnation of Marcus Mumford.

Perhaps the most enjoyable thing about these collaborations is the way that Rosenberg's voice works so well with so many different vocalists. The Josh Pyke duet What You're Thinking to these ears sounds better than most of the collaborations on Josh Pyke's Basement Birds side-project. Even harmonising with the sublime Lior (Rivers) the two voices perfectly complement each other.

Though firmly rooted in a simple strummed acoustic guitar, with co-producer Simon J. Berckelman (of Philadelphia Grand Jury), Rosenberg has created sparse instrumentation when necessary and seldom go overboard. There are moments that don't fully work, as with Golden Thread's ethereal gospel opening feels self-indulgent, serving to undermine an otherwise lyrically beautiful song painting a dream-like picture, but for the most part the unassuming sound with hints of electric guitar, bass, drums, piano, organ and strings simply serves to add hints of texture.

The acoustic guitar duet of The Girl Running (with Jess Chalker) stands out as one of the most beautiful tracks of the album, with hints of the simpler folk of Simon & Garfunkel in its "la la la" refrain and just enough distant pedal steel guitar to create a surprisingly full sound. From Simon & Garfunkel to Paul Simon, the Graceland-inspired Diamonds is conversely the most upbeat of the album, with catchy couplets like "You know I swear this was a spoof / If it wasn't for the truth / It was dancing in his eyes" building on the vivid instrumentation to bring a smile to any listener.

Passenger's Flight of the Crow is out September 24 via Inertia. Passenger joins Boy and Bear for tour dates throughout September and October:

Sydney: 1st Sep @ North Sydney Oval Charity Event
Sydney: 17th Sep @ Macquarie University
Byron Bay: 30th Sep @ Great Northern
Gold Coast: 1st Oct @ Sound Lounge
Brisbane: 2nd Oct @ The Zoo
Adelaide: 7th Oct @ Fowlers
Perth: 8th Oct @ One Movement Festival
Launceston: 15th Oct @ Hotel New York
Hobart: 16th Oct @ Republic Hotel
Ballarat: 21st Oct @ Karova Lounge
Geelong: 22nd Oct @ National Hotel
Melbourne: 23rd Oct @ East Brunswick Club
Melbourne: 24th Oct @ East Brunswick Club
Wollongong: 27th Oct @ Harp Hotel
Newcastle: 28th Oct @ Cambridge Hotel
Sydney: 29th Oct @ Oxford Arts Factory
Sydney: 31st Oct @ Oxford Arts Factory

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