Peter Bernas
"May The Better Man Lose"
Waterdog
http://www.waterdogmusic.com
“May the Better
Man Lose” began as a very hard listen for me. Initially, I just didn't
get it. Pop music in general and singer songwriter stuff about heartbreak
and love gone wrong just doesn't excite me. But finally, after several
listens, I began to realize what a really good record “May The Better
Man Lose” is.
Peter Bernas
does a nice job here. His songs are sincere and his voice is just soft
and quirky enough to be interesting. The production is clean and sparse.
The performance of the band assembled to back Bernas and the arrangements
given to his songs are outstanding. The overall feel of the music is
relaxed and sometimes takes on the type of jazzy feel that you might
hear behind a beat poet. Hats off to producer Ralph
Covert, drummer Ron Barnes, bassist Pickles Piekarski, keyboardist
Buddha Slim and guitarists John Siegle and John
Duich for creating the moods that bring Peter Bernas' songs to life.
“May The Better
Man Lose” is also, unfortunately, John Duich's last recorded performance.
He died not long after the sessions of a heart attack. I knew John as
a sweet guy and a marvelous guitarist. His contribution to this body
of work is very magical and sympathetic to Peter's emotional lyrics.
All in all, “May The Better Man Lose” is a very
cool recording that just gets better the deeper you swim from the surface.
Check out Peter and the rest of the Waterdog family at http://www.waterdogmusic.com.
From GLASS
EYE September 1999
Peter Bernas
has a nice easy voice that weaves its way around thirteen heartspun
folkie songs that reflect on his life and his misspent relationships.
The Chicago-born son of working class Polish immigrants, Pete’s background
is likewise reflected considerably in his songs, especially "When
the Ends Don’t Meet." His work has been compared to the early solo
work of Neil Young, and while that’s a debatable estimation, this debut
disc does have some solid stuff: the deliberating "Girl
You Knew Before," not to mention "My
Addiction," a love ballad. At times, May The Better Man Lose' sad
songs start to bring you down, so if you’re a hopeless romantic or just
need a disc to cry to, check out Pete.
-Ed Shimborske
Jr.
From SONGWRITER'S
MONTHLY August 1999
Dangerously
personal. Don't stand too close or you'll be sucked into Peter's world
which seems to consist of a lot of heartbreak. He just doesn't put his
heart into ths music, he puts his essence into his work and sings every
word like it's with his last breath.
From MAXIMUM
INK/MADISON July/August Issue
KULCYK'S KORNER by David Kulczyk
New Guy
Worth Listening To: Peter Bernas is a young, handsome first generation
Pole from Chicago, who writes sad songs that cannot be easily categorized.
His excellent debut CD has been released on Waterdog Music. File with
Chris Isaak, Lloyd Cole and Mark Eitzel.
From the DAILY DIGITAL
OPINION Volume 2, Issue 182 - 5/18/1999
Edited by J.F. Parnell (JFParnell@spinme.com) *** DDO PICK OF THE DAY
***
PETER BERNAS
May The Better Man Lose Waterdog Music
DESCRIPTION: Singer/Songwriter for the lonely heart
RATING: 9
Filled with absolutely no pretensions whatsoever and some of the most
heartfelt songwriting I've ever heard, Chicago singer/songwriter Peter
Bernas' debut is in a class by itself. At first, the spoken word intro
had me fear this would sound like a Shawn Mullins song (and "St.
Agnes" sounds like a stab at a Shawn inspired hit single). But then,
on the opener "Apart",
Peter starts singing the line "Here I am unable to relate to you", and
I get whacked with Neil Young circa After The Gold Rush.
That's exactly
where the album stays, and amazingly it's quality can stand next to
Neil's. Peter's songs are deeply personal and the desire to keep it
restrained inside him is what makes you delve further into his songs.
The absolute amazing standouts are "With
You On My Mind" where he ponders "Is there retribution for a broken-hearted
one" and the outstanding "My
Addiction" where his personal 12-step program mantra is "I know
my addiction to you / will get the best of me tonight". It's this sensitive
soul wrapped up in an understated, gifted musician that makes this the
best independent recording I've heard this year.
-JF Parnell
From The Clarion
/ Madison Area Technical College newspaper:
Peter Bernas'
May The Better Man Lose is a very different CD
to say the least. The slow pace and hollow voice of Peter Bernas is
something that will make you feel lower than dirt if you let it. All
of Bernas' songs are about how he had a girl, lost the girl and now
is obsessed about getting her back. It makes you feel like you're being
stalked as you listen to his lonely voice. If you ever feel depressed
about how your life is going and want to feel like you're not the only
one hurting, this is a great CD.
- Brenda Barger
Sultry and soulful, Peter
Bernas and the cracking band he has put together pump out some poignant
and melodious songs that have lodged themselves in my brain for many
days now. It is a pleasant experience that I highly recommend.
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