P.J. Pacifico - Surface

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P.J.Pacifico – Surface
2012, Viper RecordsP.J. Pacifico has spent the past fewyears quietly building himself up from a well-liked regional artist to one withname recognition across the country. The Connecticut-based singer/songwriterhas a penchant for folk/pop numbers with big hooks.  Pacifico’s most recent effort, Surface, loses none of that flavor, butdoes find Pacifico expanding his sound greatly. The hooks and folk influence are still there, but Pacifico has begun to writethe sort of songs that can get big crowds on their feet.

Surface opens with the upbeat andhopeful feel of "Half Wishing", a mid-tempo rocker about takingchances and hope for the future. This is a good place to start for Pacifico asit makes the best use of his bright and eccentric voice. "Champions AndGuardians" is a wistful power anthem about the changing of the guardwritten in the first person. Pacifico creates the sort of sonic cadence thatbrings arenas to light with swaying fans and their smart phones.

Much the same can be said for "Something Nobody Knows", a wistfulballad about having the courage to let go. Once again there is a swayingcadence that is irresistible, and Pacifico manages to create a bit of magic inits midst. "Surface" finds Pacifico straying far from his listenerswith a dreamy and diffuse ballad about change. Sonically pretty, it's just abit too consistent thematically with what's come before, and seems likely tolull listeners into a musical slumber.

Change comes on "Lucky Bound", an upbeat blend of Americana and popabout biding your time and preparing yourself for success. This subtle andthoughtful piece of songwriting is catchy, and carries with it the weight ofwisdom. Pacifico's cover of the Christopher Cross hit "Sailing" isorganic and warm, but is cut from a rougher cloth than the original. There ismore melancholy here, but it works.

"It'll Never End" has an introspective, naval gazing quality to itthat is meant wants to be deep but doesn't quite hit the mark. In this casePacifico ends up sounding a bit whiny. "Smiling Away" has morevitality even as it digs deeper into the intellectual side of loss. It's a finebit of songwriting that's based in heartache and reflection. Surface winds down with "Hold Me,Austin", a song of letting go. In one of the most poignant moments if thealbum, Pacifico explores losing yourself as the path to a new beginning.

P.J. Pacifico continues thetransition from unknown artist to star on Surface.  Songs of loss, reflection, survival andmoving on are the prime directive on Surface,and Pacifico does get a big bogged down in the darkness at times, but thenhe throws a bright shining hook your way and moves in a song about hope and newtomorrows.  In short, Pacifico takes youto the edge and then pulls you back, just like any great story-teller.  The feel might be heavy at times, butPacifico always seems to know when to step on the gas.  Surfaceis Pacifico’s finest work to date.
Rating:4.5 Stars (Out of 5)
Learn more at www.pjpacifico.com.