Brad Senne
Brad Senne
Brad Senne, Aerial Views
(self-released)
No one can say that Brad Senne’s soft-spoken, pick-heavy brand of roots-folk is breaking any real new ground. Most of the Minneapolis-based acoustic crooner's songs belong to no particular time—they could have been recorded yesterday or 46 years ago. The Beight frontman's second solo release, Aerial Views, is minimalist to say the least, pairing Senne’s ghostlike, wind-whipped vocals with sharp, effectively finger-picked guitar work. His voice is particularly effective: Ethereal and wispy, he seems to be singing in a voluminous cave (think Ray LaMontagne circa 2006). His blues-influenced, stripped-down compositions share common sonic ground with Nick Drake and Beck, but to limit Senne to this territory would be to short-change him. Aerial Views shows a mature and gifted songwriter coming into his own. It may veer very little off the much-driven road of melancholy melodic hum, but subtle and emotive nostalgia never hurt anything.
Grade: B
Upcoming shows: May 29, Kitty Cat Klub; June 11, 331 Club; June 17, 501 Club
