The Angels' Share
Vital Mines

Last Christmas morning, Vital Mines singer/songwriter and bandleader Dan McCafferty lost his battle prostate cancer. It was a crushing blow to the remaining members of the band, ostensibly something that would knock the wind out of the band's sails. In the months leading up to McCafferty's passing, however, the band halted all of their live shows and were scrambling like mad to complete their second (and perhaps final) long-player, The Angels' Share. It was something that he and the members of Vital Mines wanted to see through; while McCafferty never heard the final product, his songs and dogged involvement in the face of illness bonded the band members together and created a great record. Led by the raspy, sandy vocals of McCafferty, the band maintained (and greatly improved) the alt-country/roots styles and classic rock edges of their debut Knaves and Moneychangers ... and to great impact.

To wit, The Angel's Share -- named for part of the spirit distillation process -- is a logical progression. The heartfelt, lovingly Byrdsian jangle and influences (ranging from Ryan Adams and Dylan, to Springsteen and Neil Young) soars and swoons in all the right places. On "Not Our Time," you really get a sense of the singer's end of days. The same goes for the mournful-sounding "Bits and Pieces," which opens the eleven-cut disc. And while there are some upbeat moments ("Walk Away," "Fire," the windshield wiper truckin' tune "Change It") this is really a reflective, existential, rainy day record. Even guitarist John Pistone's solos on "Runaway Train" seem to weep as they sweep in grand AOR fashion. It all makes total sense. You hear a lot of growth -- emotional, spiritual, musical -- from their first disc to their last, making McCafferty's already sad passing even sadder. Thankfully The Angels' Share captures the band (and their leader) at their level best. And that most certainly deserves a toast.

Vital Mines performs as a part of the Coventry Street Arts Fair this Thursday, June 18. Local singer/songwriter John McGrail assumes live duties for McCafferty. Visit the Coventry Fair's website at http://www.CoventryVillage.org/Fair.html. Visit Vital Mines at http://www.vitalmines.com and on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/wearevitalmines.

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com
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