The songs included on Vincent Covello’s Torchlights sound like they’re from an earlier time. This isn’t a slight. Covello’s ability to get under the skin of these ten compositions with a relatively limited array of instruments at his disposal recalls a time in popular music when a single performer could readily bewitch audiences of any size. Torchlights’ songs prove it is still possible.
They do so without any grandiose pretensions. The generous presence of classical instrumentation never risks unnecessary bloat. Swelling strings expand the song’s dynamic range and ensure the emotional content packs a greater punch. It isn’t omnipresent. Covello, here and elsewhere, seamlessly threads the classical touches into the pop song structure. The union never strikes a discordant note.
His vocals have an exhortative tone that carries over through many of the remaining nine songs. “Torchlight”, the album’s title track, mixes things up. Covello’s muscular singing proves capable of manifesting various shades rather than bulldozing through every line. This cut makes it clear that Covello focuses on tailoring his voice to the song’s demands rather than imposing his will over each performance. The initial intimacy of his singing eventually gives way to emotion writ large yet lacking any of the bombast that lesser singers might rely on.
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“Blow Your Mind” is one of my favorite moments on Torchlights. He ventures outside the stylized comfort zone established during the first two tracks. It has considerable flair without ever sounding gaudy. Covello’s vocal comes across with a lot of personality, and the piano playing provides an excellent foil. “Cry’n Eyes” has far less ornamentation than the preceding pieces. His singing and fleet-fingered piano work is the focal point. However, Covello cannot resist scattering assorted melodic flourishes throughout the song. Low-key classical instrumentation surfaces during the second half and underlines its excellence.
“Remember When” is one of the album’s singles, and it’s easy to hear why. It benefits from one of Torchlights’ strongest melodic hooks, and Covello’s vocal arrangement is a perfect fit. You won’t hear any simplistic coupling of his singing with the accompanying music – Covello and his collaborators always think outside the box and show great inventiveness throughout the release. He hits another peak with “The Next Life”. It illustrates again his talent for creating multi-faceted musical narratives that stretch the boundaries of what effective pop song piano ballads can accomplish. He explores a range of emotions in both the lyrical and musical content that puts much of modern pop to shame.
Serving up an instrumental as the prelude to his final curtain is an audacious move. “Medley” rewards us with a powerful and diverse instrumental that spotlights more than his playing talents. It solidifies his standing as a first-rate composer, no matter the landscape. There isn’t a single dud on the latest Vincent Covello release. We’re listening to a songwriter and musician working at or near his peak. Torchlights leaves a lasting positive impression that’s impossible to shake. It will linger in your consciousness long after the final note fades.
Gwen Waggoner
