Devon Sproule- The Gold String
a review by Nat Bourgon
March 27th 2017
"The Gold
String" is what I call "spunky poetics." It is Devon Sproule's most fully realized
culmination to date of her playful, spunky musical and lyrical persona,
and her deep, poetic intensity. Her music and singing emits this
committed, persistent flare. Vocally, she takes turns between utilizing a
whimsical and frolicsome bounce in her singing step, and a graceful,
earnest mist of tenderness. She has a way with words that leave me in
awe. Sproule has this singular ability to take unrelated concepts and
ideas and place them under the same roof so they end up as chummy and
compatible as random roommates turned friends. "Trees at Your Mom's" is a
career highlight, for how it tries to wrap life's quivers in a
consoling bandage of light. The tune makes climbing over obstacles more
feasible, by viewing her obstructions as an adventure to set out on, to
rise to. The title track "The Gold String" is intimate, and dazzling
like an all encompassing daydream, worth letting yourself partake fully
in. The track is filled with a childlike wonder, and shows us the path
to maintain a non cynical, faithful tone into adulthood's sometimes
restrictive mural. "Jana" is a hard nosed, athletic tale that plays like
a coming of age story for a late bloomer. Musically it is more rugged
and unshaven than most of the album, offering contrast and balance. It
gives the untamed some tough love, yet is also accepting and supportive.
"More Together" is a bubbling ode to a longstanding relationship that
is sparkling through time, honouring the relationship's ability to
change and evolve to reflect the growth of the couple's members. When I
listen to Devon’s music, I feel motivated to get out there proactively
as an initiator in life, to make things happen. Her tunes leave me with a
"go get er" mentality. Devon's music has tenacity and boldness, yet
also patience and poise. "The Gold String" is the finest Devon Sproule
album to date.
