The
recordings themselves are a little raw, but very pure, further showcasing
Kavna's talents. His simple lyrics evoke
complex emotion. His heartfelt words are
only glimmers in the constellation of voice and notes.
The
title track has a sorrowful, jazzy feel to it.
Maybe it's the echoing words, maybe the whispering tenor tones, but this
song is decidedly haunting... in a good way!
Contrarily, "Suzanne & Victoria" is a whimsical,
lighthearted piece with clear, sweet vocals and clear, sweet lyrics. "What Am I To Do?" expresses confusion
in love. Sometimes there is a fine line
between love and hate, leaving one torn.
All one can do is "surrender".
I
am a folkie and lover of acoustic guitar. Kavna has a beautiful style, and I
was very glad he opted to include an instrumental piece on this album. "Angie"
is everything I look for in a guitar piece: perfect picking, driving sound, and
intricate adornments. Greg's guitar-playing is definitely a strong point of his
music.
"Don't
Turn Away" is another emotional song, urging one to feel and "just do",
which is perhaps better left in song than applied in life. Once again Kavna
showcases his superb vocals and instrumentation. "Stay" is a dreamy, hypnotic song,
softly urging the listener to "stay". "Summer Days" describes a love
turned cold, evoking images of a fast-coming autumn. I greatly enjoyed the lyrics on this one. A nostalgic, wistful way to end the album.
Overall,
When
You Leave is a highly enjoyable collection of songs. Truly exceptional
vocals and beautiful guitar-playing. If there is a weak point, it would be the
lyrics. However, love can be as simple as it is complex, so I would argue simple
lyrics are just as effective.
Copyright August 2013
