Beginning with just his guitar and gorgeous baritone, Richard Neuberg’s new single, ‘Crow Needs The Pine’, builds in intensity and instrumentation, growing into a dramatic and emotive performance that has a lasting impact. His opening words are direct and demand our attention immediately: “You may be the one.” Neuberg’s forceful vocal combines with an insistent, repeated phrase on his guitar that becomes a hypnotic backdrop as the song grows. There’s a real elegance to the songwriting, enhanced by graceful strings arranged by Johnny Parry. Jane Griffiths plays violins and violas alongside the atmospheric depths of Barney Morse-Brown’s cello and Edwin Ireland’s double bass.
‘Crow Needs The Pine’ tackles an unconventional form of love, serving as an open letter to a friend in need, encouraging them to find hope. Neuberg explains: “I had someone in particular in mind when I wrote this song, someone who was struggling with themselves and with their relationships. The song implores them/us all to look inside themselves, and to see what might be getting in the way – ‘the ghosts hung on your arm weighing you down,’ Ultimately, the song’s message is one of hope – that love can be found ‘on this mountain,’ that the heart can be unbound and released from its doubts.”
The video, filmed and edited by Ben Johnston, intersperses footage of Neuberg playing with images of pine forests and subtle animations by Suzie Hanna. With additional footage and editing by Parry, the end result is an artful visual that combines with the music to evoke a reflective mood.
Neuberg is the former frontman of Viarosa, a band that released two highly acclaimed albums and played alongside the likes of REM. Uncut once described Viarosa as being, “…like The Birthday Party doing Johnny Cash.” After experiencing chronic illness and a 16-year hiatus, he returns with solo album, “The Vine”, later this year, and on the strength of this first single, we can look forward to well-crafted songs, full of atmosphere, with Neuberg’s captivating voice at their heart. Look out for the new album and immerse yourself in ‘Crow Needs The Pine’ while you wait.
