Bedroom Community

It takes a lot for us to love a simple folk record, especially one that revolves around secular ballads and god-fearing gospel tunes. There’s something profoundly sad, yet thoroughly satisfying about Sam Amidon’s music, however—something that makes us stop whatever we’re doing every time one of his tracks kicks in. Having Shahzad Ismaily (a sideman for Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson and other downtown legends) and Nico Muhly at his disposal certainly doesn’t hurt, although the former’s delicately-plucked guitar and the latter’s sweeping strings never take the focus off Amidon’s voice. Not quite hopeful or hopeless, it’s the sound of an old soul with a deeper understanding of it all than we could ever hope to have. And, yes, that includes Amidon’s infamous R. Kelly cover, “Relief,” a live show staple that almost makes us forget what a crazy motherfucker Kelly really is. Almost.

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