Have you ever wondered what it might sound like if you tried to break up a scuffle between Gaelic Storm, Bill Withers, and Dave Matthews Band? Oddly enough, I have. And it sounds like Handful of Luvin’, one of the best bands (with one of the worst names) you have probably never heard of. Life in Between is one of the most eclectic sounding records I have heard in a good long time without the whole mess “trying to hard” creates. These songs sound really natural, as if the band just sweat them out during a hot New York summer.
The album opens with the stellar track “Born Lucky” and it’s a hard song to top but they certainly follow the “Put Your Best Foot Forward” rule. When those soulful vocals hits they meld with music just right and take you somewhere else. As a matter of fact, the whole record is like that. The band expertly transports you to another place, offering a journey not quite like anything else out there today. The gentle, yet edgy songs, “Washington” and “Lazy Men” are absolutely mesmerizing and so soulful you’ll geek out trying to imitate it with your acoustic guitar. If there were an Acoustic Guitar Hero game, these songs would be among the most popular. Other highlights include the boppy “Glass Ceiling,” the experimental, sample-heavy, and slightly creepy “The Pilgrimage (Into Chaos),” and the other bookend “Fingers,” which has a slightly Bluegrass bent that I really love.
Overall, I wouldn’t have given this band a chance at all if it hadn’t come from a publicist I trusted to offer quality music. The cover art is bland, the name is ridiculous, and there is nothing eye-popping about the packaging, but once you listen you are immediately hooked on Handful of Luvin’. They truly have the potential to be one of this generations greats… you even get kind of used to the name after awhile. Don’t miss out on Life in Between, you’ll be glad you sought it out.
Reviewed by Mark Fisher
