Glassnote (label)
12 May 2014 (released)
28 May 2014
As the album title suggests, this is a collection of songs about love and relationships, something Jeremy Messersmith is unapologetic for, saying he enjoys writing about the heart. New to UK audiences, he has established a following in the United States, based on a sound (and look it has to be said) similar to that of fellow Minneapolis songwriter Dan Wilson, formally of Semisonic.
In fact, Wilson is somewhat of a mentor for Messersmith, and the influence is clear on tracks like Tourniquet and Heidi. But Messersmith has a more delicate and tuneful vocal - and it makes his music more accessible. The terrific Ghost is about his parents' hometown of Omaha and a lost love. It builds from an acoustic start to a catchy hook laden classic and is one of the year's best songs.
The more sedate Bridges describes an awkward rejection - with the brilliant pay off "Your easy smile unfolded when you took my hand, somehow a perfect moment, never felt so bad". It's Only Dancing and Steve (surely the first ever song using that name) have elements of Ben Folds, while there is a hint of Don McLean's Vincent on Hitman before it explodes into a fuzz of guitar.
Messersmith is on his first ever European tour and spoke to Music News about his album, songwriting and his mentor Dan Wilson:
