Bring Me Your Love, the second album from Dallas Green's solo project City and Colour, shows an artist settling nicely into his new gig as an acoustic singer/songwriter. It's both warmer and more intimate than its predecessor Sometimes, but the most notable quality of Bring Me Your Love is the confidence it exudes. Green's voice is still ethereal, but it's also stronger and more self-assured throughout the album; those who are unfamiliar with his work in the raucous post-hardcore group Alexisonfire could be forgiven for thinking that he's a veteran of the acoustic circuit. There's renewed energy and passion on display throughout the album, a trait that is especially evident in "Sleeping Sickness." The tune, which includes an appearance from Gordon Downie of the Tragically Hip, starts soft and builds to a hand-clapping, foot-stomping chorus. Despite outward appearances, it is important to note that energy does not necessarily equal happiness on Bring Me Your Love. In fact, a majority of the lyrics on the album are introspective and melancholy in spite of the brighter melodies they accompany. ("Waiting..." is a fine example -- it's so easy to get caught up in the jaunty tune that the first repetition of the somewhat bleak chorus is jarring.) The result is strangely uplifting; despite the situations and emotions that Green addresses on Bring Me Your Love, his delivery imbues each of the album's songs with a quiet sense of hope.
© Katherine Fulton /TiVo