Stop smoking. Exercise regularly. Promote world peace. Get a life. As the New Year approaches many will be considering what resoultions they will want to break next year. Me, I'm going to think about hating Total Eclipse of the Heart, the most recent album from Bobby Burg and Matt Clark's The Love of Everything. The album doesn't officially come out until January 27th so I'll have plenty of time to break my resolution without seeming like I gave up too quickly.

On Total Eclipse of the Heart the duo recruited a lot of help from Clark's Pinebender bandmate Steve Howard, who drums on most of the tracks. Recorded by Bob Weston (Archers of Loaf, Polvo, Sebadoh), the album embraces an open and simple feel, especially on the quieter tracks where Burg's vocals are the greatest focus. The lightness pairs well with the tone of childlike innocence in Burg's singing on "The Race" and "Little Bit of Good".

It could easily be said that Burg pushes the tolerance limit when it comes to singing, especially on the above tracks, but on tracks like "Prize Is Surprise" and "Last First Half", Burg settles down and seems content to stay within a more comfortable range leading to a fuller sound that is a little less boyish. If you're one that expects only the best in vocalists, you might make your New Year's resolution to hate Total Eclipse of the Heart thinking you'll be able to keep it, but to be honest that's how I felt at first and then it just grew on me. Resolution schmesolution, that's what I say.