Bellwether singer Eric Luoma has a voice so warm and soothing it easily makes for a pleasant listen; think Jackson Browne meets James Taylor. The rest of the band — guitarist/singer Jimmy Peterson, bassist Phil Tippin, and drummer and former Dashboard Savior John Crist, who has since been replaced — provides a comfortable background for the soft texture of his sound.
Bellwether paints a gentle picture of life, focusing on love, travel, and the search, and finding a smart, uncluttered way to tell stories about just what can happen when you’re not sure where you’re going, where you’ve been, or even who you are. They provide a dreamy soundtrack for a self-discovery film about a regular guy, his gal and a small town.
Luoma and Peterson’s harmonies roll along with Luoma’s charming harmonica and simple yet full guitar chords. To some extent, Bellwether’s sound lacks guts; the unsatisfying, polished sound might be the result of an odd pairing of the band with Polara frontman Ed Ackerson, a quite capable producer but one who is used to working mainly with rock acts. A little roll in the mud never hurt anyone, and might prove to be an intoxicating journey.