Balanced On A Pin

Balanced on a Pin is an intriguing debut from a relatively unknown independent singer/songwriter who has garnered sweeping praise throughout his native Canada. Blending sensitive folk-rock with subtle elements of urban toughness, Greg MacPherson delivers meditative music steeped in honesty and vivid imagery. His soft vocals are similar in tone to Jeff Buckley and Duncan Sheik -- both vibrant and haunting -- while his lyrics pay a poet's tribute to the Manitoba region. Most songs on this disc are in the easy listening, pop vein, yet others offer a glimpse of a harder, edgier musician. Songs like West St. James and Buy a Ticket are delivered in an aggressive modality, accompanied by crisp, tight pop/rock hooks, signaling a range of talent that MacPherson has only just begun to tap. Although his overall lyrical phrasing is uneven and sometimes awkward, his self-produced release shows some promise. ~ Roxanne Blanford, All Music Guide