Barry Allen – Perhaps (Album Review)

Today’s review features London’s Barry Allen, and his 2022 album “Perhaps”. This was a follow-up to his 2010 album Where The Heart Is. Mike Cliffe, a classically trained pianist, created all the music for and produced this new single. Barry writes all the songs on his acoustic guitar and then involves Mike to help produce up the tracks.

Allen says his inspiration for his songwriting comes from life – the good times and the bad times – with themes of loss, loneliness, LGBTQI issues, and his own spiritual awakening. Allen writes the lyrics first, preferring to let the emotion and meaning of the lyrics direct the melody. His influences are Roy Orbison, Joni Mitchell, and Kate Bush.

I’ve previously reviewed one of Allen’s songs, “We’re Here, We’re Queer,” a glam anthem, and gave him a good rating. You can read that review here.

So let’s have a listen …

Stay – Starts off with guitar strumming, then enter the drums, mainly a snare. “What would I be doing, if I wasn’t here with you.” The chord pattern is fairly pleasant. Barry’s voice takes some getting used to, nothing off pitch necessarily, just a different tonality that you hear from most singers. Very British in tone. “Stay in this moment forever, together”.

Beautiful Thing – “and he’s been had by some old queen” – I like that line. The song has a lilting melody, with an arpeggiated guitar and piano line. I like the backing vocals, they reinforce Barry’s voice nicely. A plaintive cry of “beautiful thing, let me in.”

Perhaps – The track starts off with a drum intro followed quickly by the strum of an acoustic guitar. I like how the melody and chord changes move in this song; it’s a nice arrangement. The song is about opposites. I like the string section that moves along with the chord changes, floating on top of the acoustic guitar’s strumming. It’s a clever song, well-written. “Perhaps.”

Secrets – starts with Barry’s voice a capella. Joined by a keyboard playing sparsely. Very cinematic sound to this track with strings in the background. I like the ethereal sound of the keyboards in the track. All of these songs have sort of a “Broadway sound” like you might hear in a musical. “The same man I have feelings for” … “it’s the secrets I cannot bear.”

We’re Here, We’re Queer – The song starts with a delicately played piano vamp. Shortly thereafter, Barry Allen joins in singing “It’s a boy!” First impressions, I’m not a huge fan of the voice. But, on the other ear, it is a very British voice, which I like. Eventually, strings join in as Allen says we all demand “an apology.” The song is written, lyrically, to be a gay anthem. Eventually, the song moves to a higher plain, with strings, drums, and even the strum of an acoustic guitar to ramp up the energy of the track, which is moving along fairly slowly. Singing, in the final refrain, “We’re here, we’re Queer, we’re not going away.” A fine sentiment. I would love to hear this song with a female vocalist. In its present form, it reminds me a bit of an old Irish march.

The Life of Jesus – starts with a simple drum pattern, then Barry comes in singing the Lord’s Prayer. With Barry’s additional words thrown in, e.g., “Come sing a song, and let’s celebrate the life of Jesus, and celebrate his words.” I like the arpeggiated keyboard in the background of the track. The songs ends with Barry singing “Thank you, Lord.”

The Two of Us – starts with a keyboard swell and then a harp being plucked, or perhaps it’s an acoustic guitar played very sweetly. The harp or maybe a keyboard set to a harp sound is very endearing and draws your ear into the track. Barry’s singing is more talking for most of the piece. A very short song.

Marvellous – starts with an arpeggiated piano line, then the vocals join in. Singing “I can be romantic”. The song does have a very romantic feeling. The song’s chord structure reminds me a little bit of a church hymn.

Envy – “I cannot share you with another.” A song about envy in love and life. Starts with a nice, heavier, guitar strumming along in the background. “I envy your car and your swimming pool.” Loving the electric steel guitar in the mix. Barry is a talented songwriter, but I think his voice keeps these songs from going further. I would love to see these pieces in a play.

No Time to Dance – starts with a piano vamp, then the vocals join in, mirroring the notes being played by the piano. It’s an enchanting song about coming back from war, or the daily wars and battles we all fight. The song breaks down to Barry’s voice just hanging, and then ends abruptly.

In the Darkness – the song starts with church bells in the distance. Then the song starts proper with an arpeggiated acoustic guitar singing sweetly. A piano joins in, reinforcing the progressions being played on the guitar. A song which lyrically is talking about the lights of the Christmas tree “in the darkness.” The song is very somber, but does have a Christmastime feel.

High and Lowly – “All things bright and beautiful … the Lord can make them all.” A song of praise and worship. “He made their tiny wings”. Nice change to a minor motif when talking about rich v. Poor. The song has clever lyrics that are describing the beautiful things we overlook daily. The song returns to the minor motif with drums beating and cymbals crashing in the background. This is a very nice song, well-constructed, nice lyrics.

SCORE/Good: Barry Allen delivers an interesting, quirky, album with 2022’s “Perhaps.” Nice production and a very clever, well-written songs. Give it a listen and contemplate on the lyrics. Much love, Beth

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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