Me & Van Gogh

There's always a certain romanticism to an artist who's so dedicated to his art that he or she would chop off an ear. Never mind that Van Gogh had mental problems or epilepsy, and that he didn't cut off his ear to improve his biography. Rick Berlin, as far as can be determined, still has both of his ears (at least he does on the photo on the back of the CD case), but he clearly feels some connection with the late, great painter because he's named his album and lead song after him. While one detects a serious singer/songwriter in such posing, Berlin balances it all with a healthy sense of humor. As strange as it may seem, "Me and Van Gogh" actually sounds a little bit like cocktail jazz, thanks to the presence of a piano, with impressionistic lyrics. Berlin picks up the pace on "Criminal," an ode of sorts to anyone who's ever been afraid to speak to a beautiful love interest, and then throws a real curve ball with "I'm a Slut," a song that seems to be making a point about the labels people use to define themselves. Berlin's delivery style could be cleaner and clearer, and slow, halting songs like "The Ride" and "Buddha" become monotonous. This is a roundabout way of saying that while Berlin certainly seems to have something to say, he hasn't perhaps found the best way to say it yet on Me and Van Gogh. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., Rovi