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Melvyn Bernard



Last Updated: 7/15/2009

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Status: Single
City: SAINT CLAIR SHORES
State: Michigan
Country: US
Signup Date: 1/25/2009
June 7, 2009 - Sunday 
Full Indie-Music.com Review Here

By Beeb Ashcroft

Melvyn Bernard, aka Jeff Mansk, charms with his acoustic guitar and quirky harmonies on the intensely likable album, The Life You Thought You'd Have. Mansk is a one-man operation, who writes, performs, and records everything single-handedly and puts it out under the heading of Melvyn Bernard. I'm not always a big fan of acoustic music - although I do enjoy a lot of it - because it often falls into the same repetitive trap. But Mansk reminds us just how versatile and creative the medium is if you have the right mind behind it. I found these songs to be engaging and entirely unique; he's anything but dull.

Beginning with the short but sweet 43 second intro, "(Theme From) The Life You Thought You'd Have," Mansk piques your curiosity for what's to come – and there's plenty: The charming "I'm Tripping Over Me," the spacey "Meanwhile," where Mansk's vocals float over the catchy acoustic riff, declaring "My medication is kicking in." We're treated to gorgeous vocals on the meditative "You Belong," and overwhelmed by "Suburban Communion," a twangy country send-up with Mansk spewing a story about first communion as fast as the Micro Machines spokesman. "Somebody Else Can Play My Part" is another spacey cut that's warm and has a bit of a retro vibe, while "La La La La (The Cracks)" is an upbeat little ditty juxtaposed to hilariously sarcastic lyrics.

The album takes a decidedly melancholy turn on "Everything Brought Us Here," a heartbreaking tale of love slipping away. But we don't stay depressed for long – the next cut, "The Memo," is another comedic gem written in the form of a corporate memo. The album winds down with the introspective "Draw a Circle," and finishes off with a well-done remix of "Meanwhile" - it's interesting to hear this song with drums.

The Life You Thought You'd Have is sweet, sunny, and carries a sincere optimism. I'm amazed by Mansk's one-man show, and I love his imaginative style and tongue-in-cheek approach. I'll be eager to hear more from this delightfully unorthodox solo act soon.
6:02 PM
 
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