Stefan Kerkhof is a talented geezer from Zurich who’s been writing and recording music for fourteen years and this is his third solo EP which he’s also produced. I was fortunate enough to catch him live in his previous collaboration Kerkhof-Walser and, for me, this latest EP illustrates a much better finished product than I witnessed before.

It’s a five tracker and has a distinct American West Coast feel to it, with fuzzed up guitars to the fore and some fine melodies bouncing along on top of them. Kerkhof has a distinctive vocal style that oozes melancholic desolation and the lyrics reflect that ethos too; his songwriting certainly being a strength. Opening track ‘Circles’ is possibly the strongest piece here, with an engaging assertiveness about it, although the only acoustic number ‘Goodbye Truth’ stands as a better illustration of the man’s abilities.

It’s hard to see a breakthrough into the big time, but as a singer-songwriter he shows enough passion for his art to justify at least some genuine interest. ‘Circles’ can be streamed for free on his website, so check it out.

http://www.kerkhof.ch/
http://www.myspace.com/kerkhof

3.5/5

TC