The Golden Country

Gerber pushes her rock to new heights
Entertainment-Brattleboro Reformer




Thursday, May 8
NORTHAMPTON, Mass.
For her first solo flight since 2002, Rose Gerber tapped into our Sisyphean zeitgeist.
On the chorus of "Sisyphus," the title track of her brand new release, the Southern Vermont-based singer songwriter sings "Roll it Sisyphus/'Cause everybody has a stone to roll" -- in a voice reminiscent of pop-rock goddess Natalie Merchant.
In an e-mail interview earlier this week, Gerber explained the choice of the beleaguered Greek god as the centerpiece of her first album since the disbanding of Relative Strangers, the popular singer-songwriter co-op she shared with Clayton Sabine and Steven West.
"Sisyphus is a Greek myth about a man who continually tricked the Gods, and his punishment was to push a boulder up a hill in the underworld for eternity. The song talks about the mindset of the boulder pusher. We all feel frustrated by the futility of the everyday and Sisyphus embodies that."
The nine tracks of "Sisyphus" mine some of the same thematic territory as Gerber's previous solo effort, 2002's "Vicious Creatures" -- what she calls the human condition. The discomforting "Comfortable" ("Sometimes I find solace in fear/Comfort in those who wouldprotect me/When black isn't white then everything's clear/And I know they will never get me") opens the record with its only overtly political statement.
"'Comfortable' was a song I wrote about the apathy we seem to feel in this day and age surrounding politics and current events," revealed Gerber, who will introduce her new songs at her CD release party on Saturday, at 8 p.m. at Latchis 4 in the Latchis Theatre complex on Main Street in Brattleboro.
Gerber will be backed by much of the same supporting cast she brought into the studio for the recording of "Sisyphus" -- Phil Beninson on drums, Chris Stone on bass, John Singer on electric guitar, Sabine Rhine on haunting cello and fellow Relative Stranger Clayton Sabine on backup vocals.
Those familiar with Gerber as a solo acoustic singer-songwriter will be surprised by the punchy sonics that drive her new compositions, both live and on CD.
"I have always seen myself as being in a rock band rather than a 'folk singer,'" she said. "I wanted my songs to be produced with a full sound on this album. A rock and roll edge, if you will. Having Phil Beninson play drums lent a lot to that sound. He is a talented drummer and knew that I wanted to take it up a level or two.
Gerber has certainly turned things up a notch on her third solo effort, which includes only one cover, a track titled "Fillet of Soul" by former band-mate Steve West.
Much time has passed since the release of "Vicious Creatures" and the long interval has been a function of Gerber's full plate, which includes a chunk of time hitting the books and some musically enriching jaunts to Ireland.
"I've been in school full-time and that has kept me really busy," she explained. "I've played out during that time and continued to write songs, but I have not had the chance to record until now. Ireland was great. I lived there for six months in 2003 and met a lot of great musicians. I go back now and again. I definitely found inspiration there musically by hearing new artists and sounds."
Gerber, whose diverse musical inspirations include David Gray, Patti Griffin, Elliot Smith, Radio Head, Tracey Chapman, Sarah McLachlan and REM, is planning on changing her scenery while exploring more fully her muse.
"I am moving to Portland, Oregon, in the fall where I will be going to grad school. I am looking to start a band and try out some new sounds. I plan to keep writing music and hope to find success as a musician there."
Dave Madeloni writes a weekly music column for Ovation. He can be reached at madeloni@aol.com.

- Brattleboro Reformer