There is a danger when, as a talented but relatively obscure band, the song lyrics literally identify with the heros and greats of the working genre. What some see as reverence, others see as name-dropping, and yet others see as narcissistic and undeserved. Whatever listeners make of Ohio-based lead singer/guitarist Jerry DeCicca’s spoken word intros and references to Roy Orbison, Joe Tex, Sam Cooke and Jimi Hendrix, the quality of musicianship and backstory of The Black Swans fourth album of Americana/country/freak-folk, Don’t Blame The Stars are intensely compelling. This album is fashioned after Willie Nelson’s 1971 release Yesterday’s Wine (a concept album of faith based songs), focusing on faith, relationships and music instead of faith and God. Following the live recording (which was done in just four days), co-founder and violinst Noel Sayre died in a swimming accident. Out of the tragedy came a profound test of the album’s concept, and the legacy of Don’t Blame the Stars is more than the final recordings of the gifted Sayre, it is a beautifully nuanced, cohesive collection of finely crafted songs. – Written by SMarx
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