Trevor Courneen
‘Taller Hearts
Will Prevail’
Self-released
Out on May 7, former
Rochesterian Trevor Courneen’s
new full-length album “Taller Hearts Will Prevail” is steeped in lo-fi,
90’s-tinged indie rock. Mixed and mastered by Courneen’s
long-time recording collaborator Ben Morey, the music has real polish. And
while the album’s nine tracks provide a comfy soundscape of warm, jangly guitar
pop, it’s the confessional vocal delivery and unassuming lyrics that tug at the
listener’s ears.
Courneen’s conversational voice combines the
earnestness of the late Elliott Smith with Conor Oberst’s tonal vulnerability. Nowhere is that alchemy more
apparent than on the sweetly sincere “Vowels.” “Taller Hearts Will Prevail”
really hits its stride halfway through, with back-to-back winners: “Kinds of
Contact,” with its catchy, circular melody, and the weirdly anthemic
“All These Houses.” Courneen has Rochester shows at
Abilene Bar and Lounge on May 22 and Small World Books on May 24.
This article appears in May 1-7, 2019.
