By Kirk Greenwood
Don't be deceived by this album's maudlin title—heavy metal rocker turned indie singer-songwriter, Jared McCloud, opens up his heart and offers up a lot in this mostly acoustic, solo debut. McCloud's generous gifts as a guitarist and lyricist have earned him comparisons to a young Springsteen. McCloud sings about the yearning that comes from too many wasted opportunities with a sincerity that is sometimes overwrought ("Here, At The Edge Of The World") and other times deeply moving ("St. Catherine's Anthem," "Starlight & Fireflies"). The album's cover art is an apt encapsulation of its themes; it features a solitary figure gazing out over a seascape that is dwarfing in its immensity, silhouetted behind the single figure are two shadows representing the memory of lost love.
