Home

Though singer/songwriter Nathan Tasker’s hails from Australia, his work is reminiscent of such American faith-centered troubadours as Bebo Norman and Josh Wilson. Tasker’s debut release Home bears the influence of Charlie Peacock, who produced six of its tracks and brings his trademark musical eclecticism to the project overall. The album surrounds pulsating rhythms with ambient touches of pristine acoustic guitars and cool keyboard washes, framing Tasker’s sweet, wistful tenor in sympathetic colors. A yearning for a finer world beyond this one pervades the songs — the title track and “Eternity” (What We Were Made For)” are especially poignant. Honeyed harmonies and sleek electronica effects add richness to “Wake Up,” while the understated sonics of “Lifted High” bring out the deep reverence in its lyrics. Tunes like “Beautiful Again” have a melancholy tinge, though “Something Beautiful” balances the moodier moments with its sense of transcendent joy. Home speaks louder than screaming guitars ever could.