(03-02) 03:53 PST , (AP) --
Citizen Cope, "The RainWater LP" (RainWater Recordings/RED Distribution)
The scratches of a vinyl record open Citizen Cope's latest, "The RainWater LP," followed by guitar and keys, and finally, Cope's rugged but cozy voice, which sings: "You keep askin' how long will my lovin' last, always."
The track, "Keep Askin'," is just one of the many gems on his fourth effort — the first on his own label, RainWater Recordings, Inc.
The 41-year-old singer, whose real name is Clarence Greenwood, touches on politics, poverty and love on the eight-track album. He even tackles the media on "The Newspaper," opening the song with powerful words: "The newspapers got some more people killed, yeah, the magazines watch them shoot them in the field, yeah."
Cope, mostly known for his lyrics, truly shines on "RainWater" because of his voice, which can sound raspy, weary, depressed and and even breezy at the same time — especially on the top-notch "Lifeline."
CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: "Healing Hands" is a touching love tale with lyrics like: "I will never forget your healing hands my love, I thought my heart had stopped, I swore I had given up."
