Flight of the Crow is an apt name for the latest album from UK act Passenger (AKA Mike Rosenberg) as it is
sure to go straight to the hearts of its listeners. Featuring collaborations
with Australian artists on nearly every track, the album plays like pages from
a diary, each entirely distinctive but helping to form part of a cohesive
collection. On some tracks the influences from the guests are more apparent,
artists such as Kate Miller-Heidke, Josh Pyke and Matt Corby leaving indelible
marks upon their tunes, while others exert a more subtle influence such as
Katie Noonan and Boy & Bear. Fans of Passenger will be overjoyed with the
collection, as will most fans of the folk-indie genre, but this may not be the
album to convert the non-believers. This album is a perfect example of the
genre but does not push any boundaries or show us anything we haven’t seen
before. But this album is far from a disappointment.

The album begins with a track many may recognise from Passenger’s live
sets, “Month of Sundays.” This track, featuring the talents of Elana Stone and
Brian Campeau is a perfect introduction to the album and to Passenger as a
whole. Rosenberg has an amazing ability to write sickly sweet lyrics and then
perform them in such a genuine way that they do not seem contrite or over the
top. Throughout the album this talent is not only on show but being well and
truly flaunted. This album is the teddy bear the boy wins for a girl in a skill
tester, so ridiculously adorable you almost want to vomit while simultaneously
wishing it was all about you.

While I feel Passenger has a definite strength in ballads and heartbreak
the upbeat numbers certainly continue to do him justice. “Shape of Love,”
featuring the talent of Sydney hipsters Boy & Bear is set to be the first
single of the album, and again shows Rosenberg’s ability to find the magic  in almost any situation, in this case a
chance encounter with a pretty girl in a coffee shop where both parties have
sought shelter from a storm.

Trying to pick the highlights of this album feels akin to picking a favourite
child. Each song has its merits but each song also has a different feel to it,
a vibe which makes it almost incomparable with the others. But I shall try
nonetheless. “Golden Thread,” featuring Matt Corby and “The One You Love,”
featuring Kate Miller-Heidke are both beautiful ballads of love which showcase
the amazing lyrical ability of Rosenberg. “Bloodstains in the Snow,” features
Katie Noonan who I have to admit I am not a fan of. But on this track she is
entirely convincing and her haunting vocals give this track an amazing depth.
“Travelling Song,” is a more upbeat number and one that will be appreciated by
anyone who has ever let anyone go out into the big, bad world with the hope they
would return.

Despite the emphasis on lyrics it is important to note that Passenger is
also incredibly musically talented, but on this album it seems entirely
secondary to the words and voices. The final song and album namesake “Flight of
the Crow,” is performed solely by Rosenberg and again is typical of all we have
come to expect from this album, making it a perfect album closer. As I said,
this album will not convert anyone who does not appreciate the genre, but for
those who do it is an absolute pleasure of an album. This is the album you
listen to when you’re staying inside all weekend, alone or with company, an
album that extols the values of love, heartbreak and all that lies between.

Review Score: 8/10