Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Richard Berger - WAsting time

11/5/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Richard Berger

Wasting Time
self-released; 2014

3.3 out of 5

By Ted Rogen
Richard Berger has been involved with music in some capacity for an ample amount of time now. Back in the early ‘90s he was a young man in band the never reached rock stardom and he ended up getting a “real job.” That’s a cold hard fact that 99% of aspiring musicians in their early twenties will not be able to make a living from being solely a musician. Most of us get real jobs but if you truly love music and not the idea of it you will continue making music in some capacity. That’s precisely what Berger is doing. He released a six-song EP entitled Wasting Time, which according to him is a collection of rock songs, some written in the early ‘90s, one written in 2010, but all re-recorded and re-mastered recently (Berger might want to look into getting a different mastering engineer because “Pictures” is noticeably about 3 to 5 dbs louder than “Forever”.).

The six songs on Wasting Time, despite some being written in in the last couple of years, sound like a mix of ‘90s alternative songs as well as ‘80s pop. Berger’s main subject revolves around relationships, loss, time and hope. Overall, he is a solid songwriter who is often creative when it comes to structure. That being said some of the songs lack characteristics that make it stand out. Berger has a smooth yet indistinct delivery in his vocal style. It’s easy to listen to even though he covers it with too many effects most of the time. 

Berger opens up with “Thinking About You.” I couldn’t but help think of Richard Marx when hearing this song. Something about the combination of vocal style, clean piano and drum sound. Berger’s lyrics are simplistic and straightforward as he dances around ubiquitous themes of lost love. He sings, “Oh thinking about you makes me smile but living without you makes me cry.” The highpoint was when Berger shreds on the guitar. He lays down a soaring guitar solo that displays some of his technical ability. 

“Pictures” was a catchy, infectious tune and is arguably the best vocal performance. Berger sounds good when he delivers the lines “Put away those pictures of me / Can’t look at them any more.” I liked the song but the mix itself was squashed and narrow.

As the EP progresses the last two tracks “In The Rain” and “Wasting Time” were notable amongst the batch. The good things outweigh the bad on Wasting Time but some of the material does feel dated. All things considered it's a respectable effort for someone who isn’t a full time musician.
official website
Tweet
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band

© Divide and Conquer 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact