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Steve Germany bills himself as an artist who has groove-based songs a la Dave Matthews with the harmonies of Simon and Garfunkel.  After listening to A Peculiar Kind of Clarity several times, I'd have to say he overshoots just a bit.

This is not to say, however, that this a bad record. Quite the contrary.  "Ahab" blends David Crowder vocals with a Huddle soundtrack.  "Moment" comes across as an acoustic version of Bleu, a Boston-based powerhouse vocalist.  Germany's guitar work is adequate to occasionally outstanding, and is at his best when performing acoustic, singer/songwriter type numbers such as "Reverie," my favorite song on the disc.

"Cope" strikes the listener as a mournful piece, dealing with fear and abuse, and "Waiting" reveals the skeletons in one's closet.  A Peculiar Kind of Clarity is open, sometimes disturbing, and can be uncomfortable in the vulnerability of its subjects.  Germany shows some promise as a songwriter and guitarist.

Brian A. Smith
24 July 2005